Thylacosceles acridomima, also known as the pūniu spore-eater or the micro-featherfoot,[2] is a moth of the family Stathmopodidae.[3][1] This species is endemic to New Zealand.[1] It was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1889.[4][5]
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.[2]
Meyrick described the adult male of this species as follows:
♂. 11mm. Head and palpi light yellowish-ochreous. Antennae whitish-fuscous, base yellowish. Thorax fuscous. Abdomen grey. Anterior legs dark fuscous ; middle legs ochreous-yellowish ; posterior legs ochreous- whitish, tibiae with a black apical ring, and tuft of posterior half dark grey. Forewings elongate, very narrow, broadest near base, long-pointed ; fuscous, somewhat unevenly shaded, but without markings : cilia light fuscous. Hindwings fuscous-grey ; cilia light fuscous.[5]
The larvae of this species create a silk tunnel on the underside of fronds of their host species.[2] The adults of this species are on the wing from October to January.[2]
The larval host of this species is Polystichum vestitum. The larvae feed on the spores of this plant.[2]
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.
