Elachista atricomella

Description

Elachista atricomella is a moth of the family Elachistidae that is found in most of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula, Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Islands. The wingspan is about 12 millimetres (0.47 in). The moth flies from May to September depending on the location. The larvae mines the leaves of 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. Larvae can be found from late autumn to May. They are greenish yellow with a light brown head.