Elachistidae

38.025 Cock's-foot Miner Elachista atricomella Stainton, 1849

Common

Similar species: The Elachista luticomella mine is indistinguishable.

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Woodland margins, verges and wasteground.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva mines the leaves of Cock's-foot Grass. The larva forms a long narrow, whitish mine, with a central line of grey frass. The mine leads down into the leaf sheath and stem, from where it may transfer to a succession of other leaves, although it can also reach them externally. The last instar is mostly spent mining the leaf sheaths. The larva is pale yellow with a green tinge. The head and divided prothoracic plate are both yellow-brown. Pupation takes place among the stem bases, attached with a silk girdle.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Mountain Melick, a millet and Tawny Sedge.