Elachista atricomella

The wingspan is about 12 millimetres (0.47 in). The head is blackish, whitish sprinkled, face in female whitish. Forewings blackish, pale sprinkled; a somewhat oblique fascia before middle, in male interrupted, a tornal spot, and a larger triangular spot beyond it on costa white. Hindwings are dark grey.The larva is pale yellowish ; head pale brown ; 2 with two yellow brown marks.[1]

The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.[2]

The larvae mines the leaves of cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata). The mine starts as a long, narrow, mostly straight corridor with a fine central line of grey frass. It descends into the leaf sheath, or even into the stem or rootstock. Larvae regularly vacate the mine and begin elsewhere. Pupation takes place outside of the mine.[3] Larvae can be found from late autumn to May. They are greenish yellow with a light brown head.

The moth is found in most of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Islands.[4]

• Plant Parasites of Europe