Elachista stabilella

Alternative names
Southern Grass-miner
Southern Dwarf
Description

Wingspan 7 or 8 mm. Forewing dark with distinct white fasciae, however specimens can show less contrasting markings. The head and neck-tufts are white in this species.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the species should be confirmed by gen det.

Habitat

Grassy areas.

When to see it

There are two generations with flight periods in May and June and again from July to August.

Life History

Like many other Elachistidae, the larvae mine various types of grasses.

UK Status

A scarce species, distributed mainly in southern England and south Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Harby record of 8th July 2022 is the first for VC55.

Reference
38.049 BF633

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
Southern Dwarf
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
08/07/2022 (Leonard, Pete)
Last record:
11/08/2022 (Poole, Adam)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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