Elachista gangabella

Description

Elachista gangabella is a moth of the family Elachistidae. It is found in all of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula. The wingspan is 9–10 millimetres (0.35–0.39 in). Adults are on wing from March to June. The larvae feed on Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata and Melica nutans. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine is transparent and generally descends from the leaf tip. A central silken tube stretches over the entire length of the mine. The larva uses this tube to retreat in. The frass is deposited in this tube. Feeding takes place from within the tube. They are greyish white. Larvae can be found from September to November. They then hibernate within the mine. In spring, they leave the mine to pupate.