Elachista regificella
This record describes Elachista regificella (species). Recorded family: Elachistidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Wingspan about 9 mm. A rather attractive little species, sporting silvery metallic fasciae against a dark fuscous forewing, the central fascia being a (sometimes broken) elongated spot. The larva mines the leaves of Wood-rush species forming a blister mine that often causes the leaf blade to pucker Other species of Elachista may mine Luzula . Several speces of fly feed in leaf-mines on Luzula; feeding damage can be caused by a range of invertebrates. Adult: 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. Leafmine: please provide a backlit photograph of the leafmine and state the host plant species. Their favoured habitat is open woodland where the larval foodplants Wood-rush ( Luzula sp.) are present. Single-brooded. The larval foodplants are various Wood-rush ( Luzula spp.). It has a fairly wide, though scattered distribution over much of the British Isles, and can be scarce outside of the southern half of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.regificella.htm
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
Their favoured habitat is open woodland where the larval foodplants Wood-rush (
Seasonal Activity
Adult moths fly in July
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Single-brooded. The larval foodplants are various Wood-rush (
Additional species information
Recorded status
It has a fairly wide, though scattered distribution over much of the British Isles, and can be scarce outside of the southern half of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Elachista regificella. 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 regificella (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Elachista regificella
What is Elachista regificella?
Elachista regificella is a species in the family Elachistidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Elachista regificella found?
Habitat: Their favoured habitat is open woodland where the larval foodplants Wood-rush (
When is Elachista regificella active?
Elachista regificella: seasonal activity - Adult moths fly in July.
What is the life cycle of a Elachista regificella?
Single-brooded. The larval foodplants are various Wood-rush (
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