Elachistidae

38.044 Small Bog Sedge-miner Elachista eleochariella Stainton, 1851

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 3.5 to 4mm

Habitats: Bogs, mosses and fenland

Habits: The moth flies low among the vegetation on warm, humid evenings.

Foodplant: The larva mines the leaves of Carnation Sedge, Common Sedge or other sedges. The larva mines an ascending gallery on the upper surface of a leaf avoiding crossing the midrib. It then doubles back on the other side of the midrib gradually widening the mine until it is half the leaf width and filled with frass. The larva is grey-green with a black head. The prothoracic plate is yellow-brown and darker at the front. It pupates in June on the back of a leaf, attached by a girdle of silk.