General comments:
The larvae of the Elachistidae are miners, those of genera Elachista, Biselchista and Cosmiotes, in the blades of grasses, rushes, wood rushes and sedges. Whilst some adults are distinctive, most are not, especially if worn, and genitalia dissection may be necessitated. As a whole the family is rather hopelessly under-recorded and only the basic minimum of comment is made here. Texts will be amended as time and discoveries progress.


widespread and common. Distinctive, but care should be taken not to overlook the only other completely white and unmarked member of the family, Mendesia farinella (Thunb.), which is not yet recorded in our area and which is slightly larger with ciliate antennae.

Recorded in 30 (73%) of 41 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1887. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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