Elachista albifrontella

Alternative names
White-headed Grass-miner
White-headed Dwarf
Description

Wingspan about 10 mm. Named after the noticeably whitish forehead, the most likely confusion species is E. apicipunctella, which however has an additional white spot in the apical area of the forewing.

There are other very similar species in this genus which means that detailed examination of an actual specimen is generally needed to identify the exact species. A red box around the image indicates that we think it is likely to be this species but can't be 100% certain.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Inhabits a range of grassland habitats.

When to see it

The adults fly in a single generation from late May to July.

Life History

During September until around May, the larva mines a blade of a variety of grasses, leading to a pale blotch, sometimes moving between blades.

UK Status

This is a quite common species throughout most of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
38.030 BF601

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
White-headed Dwarf
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Records on NatureSpot:
9
First record:
27/05/2011 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
27/07/2023 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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