38.046 BF630

Elachista albidella

Nylander, [1848]

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Wingspan c. 9-10mm.

A relatively widespread species over much of Britain, occurring on wet and acid heathland and similar boggy habitats.

The adults are fairly distinctive with their dark elongated forewing spot on a pale ground colour, although there are possible confusion species, so genitalia dissection is recommended for definitive identification.

The food plants are various sedges, including Carex and Eriophorium, the larva creating a gallery mine from around late April typical of the genus.

There is a single generation, with adults on the wing between June and August.