Elachistidae
  Prev | Next  
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Purdis Farm, Ipswich. September 2007. Gen.det.

Similar Suffolk Species
Elachista atricomella
Upload a Photo
 
Elachista alpinella

Stainton, 1854599 / 38.028

Morley’s Final Catalogue: Suffolk is the north-east limit of this Carex-feeder's range. Found near Thetford (Revd. H. Williams of Croxton).

Recent Status: A rare species in Suffolk.

Life Style: A single brooded species flying from June till September. The larvae mine leaves of Carex species. They hibernate and pupate on a leaf or stem of the foodplant supported by a silken girdle.

Identification: The species is sexually dimorphic with the females having yellowish white scales present on the head and ringed antennae. The males have a dark head and antennae. The markings on the female are bolder but both have variable markings. There is a white fascia at one third and a white tornal and preapical costal spot. Owing to the variability and likely confusion with a number of similar species genitalia dissection is essential for identification. More Info
The larvae mine downwards in a narrow gallery. The mine of the fully grown larvae ends up low down amongst the leaves. The pale larvae have a pale brown head.

Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Recorded in 5 (9%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1987.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

Elachista kilmunella  |  Elachista luticomella >

Determination
Captured by Mike Prentice Easton East Suffolk 9 Sept 2023 - Raymond A Watson
Captured by Brian Jones Somerleyton 23 August 2022 - Raymond A Watson
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
15/09/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
09/09/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
08/09/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
11/08/2023125TM49 - Somerleyton/Beccles
04/09/2022125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Elachista alpinella
We need your records!
Do you have records of Elachista alpinella?
Put your own dot on the map!

Copyright © Jim Wheeler 2024
   

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Wingspan: 9-13mm.
Flight: June - Sept.
Foodplant:   Sedges, Greater Pond-sedge, Lesser Pond-sedge.
Nat Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 4
 Immature Adult
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
This site requires necessary cookies to function correctly. We'd also like to set Google analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept all cookies. Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this will affect how the website functions. Cookies Policy