Elachistidae

38.018 Yellow-edged Grass-miner Elachista bisulcella (Duponchel, [1843])

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland rides, clearings and margins.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva forms a mine on a leaf of Tufted Hairgrass or Tall Fescue. It initially descends in a narrow, pale brown, slightly inflated blotch which later enlarges to the full width and depth of the leaf. The black frass is positioned centrally in scattered clumps down the mine. The larva is not full-fed until June and may change leaves. There may be more than one mine in a leaf. It is dull grey-green, with a light brown head and a dark prothoracic plate which is divided irregularly in the middle. The pupa is attached by a silk girdle to a stem or a leaf.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on False Brome, Wood Small-reed and Tufted-sedge.