Elachista gleichenella
This record describes Elachista gleichenella (species). Recorded family: Elachistidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 9 mm. This small but attractive species has a slight metallic sheen to the yellowish-white fasciae on the forewing. Inhabiting shaded woodland habitats and areas with sedges. There is a single, fairly protracted generation, with moths on the wing from May to August. The foodplants are various sedges (Carex spp.) or wood-rush (Luzula), upon which the larvae, typically for the genus, create a blotch mine on the blades. A widespread but local species over much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Elachistidae
- Genus
- Elachista
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting shaded woodland habitats and areas with sedges.
Seasonal Activity
There is a single, fairly protracted generation, with moths on the wing from May to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The foodplants are various sedges (Carex spp.) or wood-rush (Luzula), upon which the larvae, typically for the genus, create a blotch mine on the blades.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A widespread but local species over much of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elachista gleichenella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Elachista gleichenella (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Elachista gleichenella
What is Elachista gleichenella?
Elachista gleichenella is a species in the family Elachistidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Elachista gleichenella found?
Habitat: Inhabiting shaded woodland habitats and areas with sedges.
When is Elachista gleichenella active?
Elachista gleichenella: seasonal activity - There is a single, fairly protracted generation, with moths on the wing from May to August..
What is the life cycle of a Elachista gleichenella?
The foodplants are various sedges (Carex spp.) or wood-rush (Luzula), upon which the larvae, typically for the genus, create a blotch mine on the blades.