Flax notcher damage
![](https://oldwww.landcareresearch.co.nz/__data/assets/image/0018/2682/varieties/thumb200.jpg)
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