Elachista regificella

Elachista regificella is a moth of the family Elachistidae, with a restricted distribution in Europe.

Elachista regificella
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukarya
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Genus:
Elachista
Species:
E. regificella
Binomial name
Elachista regificella
Sircom, 1849[1]

Description

The wingspan is about 8 millimetres (0.31 in). Adults are on wing in July in one generation per year.[2]

The larvae feed on greater wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica) mining the leaves of their host plant. Young larvae create a very narrow mine running parallel to the midrib. The mine then suddenly widens to almost the full width of the leaf. The frass is deposited in the transition area between the mine types. Pupation takes place outside of the mine.[3] They are greenish black with a pale honey coloured head. Larvae can be found from autumn to mid-June of the following year.

Distribution

The moth has been found in Great Britain and Romania. It might also occur in the Netherlands.[4]

References
  1. "Elachista (Elachista) regificella Sircom, 1849". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  2. "Elachista regificella". UK Moths. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  3. "Elachista regificella Sircom, 1849". Bladmineerders.nl. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  4. Ellis, W N. "Elachista regificella Sircom, 1849 wood-rush dwarf". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
Mine showing the initial narrow gallery and later widening.


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