Elachista atricomella

Alternative names
Black-headed Dwarf
Description

Wingspan about 12 mm.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Grassy areas where Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) occurs.

When to see it

The moths can be found on the wing any time between May and September, and is attracted to light.

Life History

Like related species, the larva mines blades of grass, in this case usually Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), forming a thin whitish mine.

UK Status

A fairly common and well distributed grassland species over most of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
38.025 BF597

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Cock's-foot Miner, Black-headed Dwarf
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
05/06/2019 (Leonard, Pete)
Last record:
05/06/2019 (Leonard, Pete)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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