Elachista unifasciella (Haworth, 1828) Species
Last modified: May 30, 2024, 4:27 p.m.
A very rare and local species in the southern part of Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Elachistidae > Subfamily: Elachistinae > Genus: Elachista > Species: Elachista unifasciella
- Vernacular names
- Dwarsbandgrasmineermot (NL), Narrow-barred Dwarf (EN)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Prins W. 1998. Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium. — Studiedocumenten Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen 92: 1–236. On page 57.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 9–10 mm. This species is characterized by its broad black wings with a median yellow-white cross band. Labial palps are light grey.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
No pictures yet!Genitalia
Caterpillar
The pale yellow-grey caterpillar has a light yellow-brownish head.
Mine
See also bladmineerders.be
Mines of this species can be found from autumn onwards. The caterpillars make long, slightly transparent corridors that have a slightly inflated appearance. The creatures overwinter and in the spring they start eating again, preferably from the lower leaves. In them they make white-green Phyllonorycter-like blotches. The frass is packed in the leaf tip, giving the leaf tip a wrinkled impression. The caterpillars leave the mines during the month of May.
Bionomics
The larvae appear from autumn till well in May. The adults come to light.
Flight periods
Adults are on the wing in June and July.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Dactylis
The larva feeds mainly on Dactylis glomerata or Brachypodium sylvaticum.
