Elachista scirpi Stainton, 1887

saltern dwarf

mine

The mine begins as a narrow corridor, somewhere halfway the leaf; it ascends towards the tip, doubles, and descends to about the starting point. Meanwhile the corridor has widened to about half the width of the leaf. Most frass is accumulated as an elongate dark mass in the oldest part of the mine.According to Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen part of the frass can be ejected through an opening in the lowest part of the mine. The mine is greenish white and quite conspicuous. Pupation external; pupa ina a loose spinning (Bland, 1996a; Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen, 1977a).

host plants

Cyperaceae, Juncaceae; narrowly polyphagous

Juncus compressus, gerardi; Bolboschoenus maritimus.

Only Parenti & Varalda (1994a) additionally mention Carex.

phenology

Larvae from early March till early May (Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen, 1977a).

BENELUX

BE recorded (Phegea, 2010).

NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2010).

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2010).

distribution within Europe

From Fennoscandia to Portugal, Sardinia, and Sicily, and from Ireland to Romania (Fauna Europaea, 2010).

larva

Pale greenish yellow with an indistinct dorsal line; head pale yellow, mouthparts darker. The eye patch consist of several facets (contrary to Eutomostethus luteiventris).

synonyms

Biselachista scirpi.

references

Bland (1996a), Ford (1943a), Gielis, Huisman, Kuchlein ao (1985a), Hering (1930b, 1957a), Huisman, Koster, van Nieukerken ao (2006a), Huisman & Koster (1999a), Huisman, Kuchlein, van Nieukerken ao (1986a), Huisman, Koster, van Nieukerken & Ellis (2009a), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), Parenti & Pizzolato (2015a), Parenti & Varalda (1994a), De Prins (1998a), Sønderup (1949a), Szőcz (1981a), Traugott-Olsen & Nielsen (1977a), Wegner (2010a).