Elachista atricomella

Elachista atricomella is a moth of the family Elachistidae that is found in Europe.

Elachista atricomella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Genus:
Elachista' '
Subgenus:
Elachista
Species:
E. atricomella
Binomial name
Elachista atricomella' '
Stainton, 1849
Synonyms

Description

The wingspan is about 12 millimetres (0.47 in). The head is blackish, whitish sprinkled, face in female whitish. Forewings blackish, pale sprinkled; a somewhat oblique fascia before middle, in male interrupted, a tornal spot, and a larger triangular spot beyond it on costa white. Hindwings are dark grey.The larva is pale yellowish ; head pale brown ; 2 with two yellow brown marks.[1]

The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.[2]

The larvae mines the leaves of cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata). The mine starts as a long, narrow, mostly straight corridor with a fine central line of grey frass. It descends into the leaf sheath, or even into the stem or rootstock. Larvae regularly vacate the mine and begin elsewhere. Pupation takes place outside of the mine.[3] Larvae can be found from late autumn to May. They are greenish yellow with a light brown head.

Distribution

The moth is found in most of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Islands.[4]

References
  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. Ian Kimber. "Elachista atricomella". UK Moths. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  3. "Bladmineerders.nl". Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  4. "Elachista (Elachista) atricomella Stainton, 1849". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
Mined leaf of Dactylis glomerata
Larva
Pupa


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