42.001 BF0877c

Pachyrhabda steropodes

Meyrick, 1897

An Australian species first discovered in 2010 at Abbotsbury, Dorset. Since then it has spread further afield including Wales & Devon.

It is related to Stathmopoda pedella.

The larvae feed on various Fern species particularly, it seems, the Soft Shield fern Polystichum setiferum and the adult flies during the summer months.