38.024 BF596

Elachista poae

Stainton, 1855

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Wingspan c. 9-12mm.

This relatively distinctive member of the Elachistidae is distributed across the southern half of Britain, although it is relatively scarce. It inhabits the damp fringes of ponds, lakes and other waterways where its foodplant, reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima) grows.

The larvae mine the leaves from the tip down to above the water surface, creating a narrow mine with scattered frass.

There are two generations, with larvae feeding in April/May and July/early August, and adults in May/June and again in August