Food Plant: Carex flacca (Glaucous Sedge), other Carex species Elsewhere: Deschampsia cespitosa, Melica sp., Sesleria caerulea

Egg: laid on the leaf tip

Mine: September-April

Notes: May either make a short broad mine, which fills the leaf tip or a broader one which occupies half the leaf (between the midrib and leaf edge, as shown). There may be more than one mine in a leaf. The larva overwinters in the mine and extends it in the spring. Pupation occurs in the angle of a leaf, under a girdle. Found in chalky and sandy areas throughout Ireland and Britain. Habitat where mines found on Carex flacca growing in light woodland next to chalk downland. Mines of Elachista gleichenella were also found on the same foodplant here.

Data: 24.ii.2024, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxfordshire, VC23

Image:© Will Langdon