Prev Flights Rec Search
Elachista canapennella
Common Grass-miner (Hübner, 1813)
Elachistidae
607 / 38.037
Photo © Bill Crooks,  20/09/2022 - Eastbridge

Similar Suffolk Species
Dingy Grass-miner
Elachista subnigrella
Wingspan: 8-10 mm
Flight: Two Generations. Apr-June. Jul-Sept.
Foodplant:   Various grasses.
Nat Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

Morley’s Final Catalogue: Frequent about hedges. Flying by day at Belstead in 1898 (Pyett); Southwold (Ctw).

Recent Status: This is probably the commonest of Britain’s Elachista species but the number of records do not reflect this owing to the small and undistinguished appearance of the male. It is predominantly recorded in the Sandlings

Life Style: The species has two or three broods in a year and can be found from April through to September. The larvae mine grass leaves with a preference for Holcus mollis and Arrhenantherum elatius. It is the ova that are likely to overwinter but larvae could also hibernate.

Identification: This species is strongly sexually dimorphic. The females are boldly marked. The head and thorax are light ochre. The proximal third is white with some grey shading. There is a broad white fascia at one third. The distal two thirds are grey with a white tornal and costal spot a little beyond. The males can show the female patterning vaguely but this is on a grey brown background colour and markings are often absent. The male never has clear markings. More Info
The larvae are pale with a brownish head. They produce a blotch mine. More Info

Verification Grade Comment: Worn specimens Grade 4

Recorded in 30 (52%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1898.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
08/10/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
04/10/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
02/10/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
01/10/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
17/09/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
Further info: Elachista canapennella
 
UK Moths
Mothdissection UK
Norfolk Moths
Cambs Moths
Lepiforum.de Suffolk Moths (Full)
Back Record Home
iMoths V10.1 HD © Jim Wheeler 2024