Elachista eleochariella is a moth of the family Elachistidae found in Europe and North America.
The wingspan is 7–8 millimetres (0.28–0.31 in).The head is grey. Forewings are grey ; plical stigma black, preceded and followed by whitish marks ; a small tornal spot, and an oblique wedge-shaped mark on costa opposite whitish. Hindwings are dark grey.[1]
The larvae feed on glaucous sedge (Carex flacca), carnation sedge (Carex panicea), black sedge (Carex nigra), common spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris) and common cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium). The larvae form an upper-surface mine, starting just under the tip of the leaf. They first form a corridor which runs upwards, then doubles, widening all the while, with the final part taking about half the width of the leaf.[2] There is some confusion as to the form of the mine with a different description on the UKmoths website.[3]
Pupation takes place outside of the mine.[4]
In Europe it is found from northern Europe and northern Russia to the Pyrenees and Alps, and from Ireland to Romania.[5] It is also found in North America.[6]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description Elachista eleochariella is a moth of the family Elachistidae found in Europe and North America.
