Elachista alpinella is a moth of the family Elachistidae found in Europe and North America.

Elachista alpinella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Elachistidae
Genus: Elachista
Species:
E. alpinella
Binomial name
Elachista alpinella
Stainton, 1854
Synonyms
  • Elachista monticola Wocke in Heinemann, 1876
  • Elachista oxytypa Braun, 1948

Description

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The wingspan is 9–13 millimetres (0.35–0.51 in) The head is fuscous, whitish-sprinkled. Forewings are dark fuscous, basal area in female sometimes pale ; a somewhat curved fascia before middle, in male obsolete towards costa, an erect triangular tornal spot, and a similar spot on costa beyond it white, in female larger.Hindwings are dark grey.[1]

The moth flies from June through to September.[2]

The larvae feed on acute sedge (Carex acuta), lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis), greater tussock-sedge (Carex paniculata) and greater pond sedge (Carex riparia), mining the leaves of their host.

Distribution

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It is found from Fennoscandia and northern Russia to the Pyrenees and Italy and from Ireland to central Russia and Hungary.[3] It is also found in North America.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. ^ Kimber, Ian. "38.028 BF599 Elachista alpinella Stainton, 1854". UKmoths. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Elachista alpinella Stainton, 1854 marsh dwarf". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Elachista alpinella – Stainton, 1854". Moth Photographers Group. Retrieved March 7, 2010.