Elachistidae

38.029 Yellow-headed Grass-miner Elachista luticomella Zeller, 1839

Local

Similar species: The mine of Elachista atricomella is very similar.

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Woodland rides and margins, verges and wasteground.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day and flies from early evening.

Foodplant: The larva mines a leaf of Cock's-foot Grass and sometimes False Brome or Creeping Soft-grass. It forms a long, narrow, whitish gallery mine starting from near the tip of a blade and containing a central line of grey frass. The mine eventually leads to the leaf base, from where the larva may mine a succession of leaves. The last instar is mostly spent mining the leaf sheaths and stem, causing the plant to discolour and wilt. The long, slender larva is lemon yellow. The head and prothoracic plate are both light brown. It pupates during May in a loose cocoon in plant debris.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Hairy Brome, Meadow Fescue, Giant Fescue, Smooth Meadow-grass, Spreading Meadow-grass, Perennial Rye-grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Wood Millet and Wood Melick.