Elachistidae

38.005 Triple-spotted Grass-miner Elachista triatomea (Haworth, 1828)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 4.5mm

Habitats: Open grassland where fine grasses are found, such as hill-sides, cliffs, disused quarries etc.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva initially mines a narrow gallery down from the tip of a fine grass such as Sheep's-fescue, Red Fescue or Fine-leaved Sheep's-fescue. It then moves to another leaf and mines up the leaf, making a broader yellow-grey mine with a violet tinge that later becomes white. The larva is a dull greyish-yellow to olive green, has a dull brown head and a paler, divided prothoracic plate. It pupates in the leaf litter.