Elachista gleichenella
Elachista gleichenella
Adult • Penny Hill Bank, Worcestershire • © Patrick Clement

38.022 BF594

Elachista gleichenella

(Fabricius, 1781)

[Synonyms: magnificella]
Wingspan c. 9mm.

A widespread species over much of the British Isles, this small but attractive species has a slight metallic sheen to the yellowish-white fasciae on the forewing.

Inhabiting shaded woodland habitats, there is a single, fairly protracted generation, with moths on the wing from May to August.

The foodplants are various sedges (Carex spp.) or wood-rush (Luzula), upon which the larvae, typically for the genus, create a blotch mine on the blades.
back to top