Thylacosceles acridomima


Thylacosceles acridomima, also known as the pūniu spore-eater or the micro-featherfoot, is a moth of the family Stathmopodidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889.

Description

The mature larva of this species is between 5 and 6 mm long and is short and fat with a whitish flesh coloured body and pale brown head.
Meyrick described the adult male of this species as follows:

Behaviour

The larvae of this species create a silk tunnel on the underside of fronds of their host species. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to January.

Hosts

The larval host of this species is Polystichum vestitum. The larvae feed on the spores of this plant.