''Calicotis crucifera'', the leather-leaf spore-eater, is a

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

of the

Stathmopodidae Stathmopodidae is a family of moths in the moth Taxonomic rank, superfamily Gelechioidea described by Edward Meyrick in 1913. Taxonomy and systematics *''Actinoscelis'' Meyrick, 1912 *''Aeoloscelis'' Meyrick, 1897 *''Arauzona'' Walker,

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family. It is found in

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

and

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

Description

The mature larva of ''C. crucifera'' are approximately 6mm long and are a white colour, plump with a pale brown head. The wings of the adult are grey with dark specks.

Behaviour

The larvae of this species can be observed on the underneath of the fronds of its host species. The larva builds silk tubes disguised with fern spore dust and white frond hair. They feed on the fern spores.Factsheet: Leather-leaf spore-eater
/ref> Larvae can be seen most months of the year. The adult is on the wing from January to May.

Host plant

The larvae feed on the spores of the fern, '' Pyrrosia eleagnifolia''.

References

Moths described in 1889 Stathmopodidae Moths of New Zealand Taxa named by Edward Meyrick Moths of Australia {{Stathmopodidae-stub