Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Flax notcher damage

Tmetolophota steropastis Meyrick


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae

Size range

  • Wingspan of moth up to 40 mm

Distribution

  • Native species. Seen near swamps

Life History

  • Brown–yellow caterpillars feed on young flax (Phormium tenax) leaves, leaving notches along the edges
  • Caterpillar activity is nocturnal

Additional images