38.003 [B&F: 0592] Stephensia brunnichella (Linnaeus, 1767) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in deciduous woodland and woodland margins, on chalky soils, in England from the Wash-Mersey line southwards and also in the north; in Wales from Glamorgan (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this species occurs along the borders of woods on calcareous downland, and has been found in several localities in the county, notably at Leckford and Stockbridge Down in the north, and Portsdown NR and Oxenbourne in the south. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1938. Wingspan 8-9 mm. Imago similar to many of the Elachista species, although the white band on the antenna at three-quarters is distinctive. Larva mines leaves of Wild Basil.

Record Details

VC11: Portsdown, mine, three, on Wild Basil. , 20 Jul (DPH)

38.004 [B&F: 0610] Elachista argentella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in grassland and saltmarshes throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common, particularly near the coast. Wingspan 11-12 mm. The only plain white species other than Mendesia farinella, from which it can be separated by its smaller size, non-ciliate antenna and reduced venation (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Bay, four, two males Gen checked., 25 Jun (PBard);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 19 May (TDCh); Lee, one, 17 Aug (CTha); Bunny Meadows, Warsash, two, field obs., 10 May (DPH); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, three, field obs., 07 May (DAS); Fareham, one, 11 May (MLO); Milton Common, Portsmouth, larva, present, field obs., 05 Nov (IRT); Hurst Castle, two, field obs., swept from coarse grasses along foot of northern castle wall. , 09 Jun (WLan);

38.005 [B&F: 0611] Elachista triatomea (Haworth, 1828) - Local

Found in open grassland, hillsides and clifftops, throughout central and eastern England and south-eastern Scotland, also in central and western Scotland and Ireland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and Isle of Wight, there are scattered records from downland across all three vice-counties, but never common. Wingspan 8-9mm. The dark ciliary line and dark spots on the fold and at the apex of the cell are diagnostic (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines the leaves of Sheep's-fescue and Red Fescue.

Record Details

VC10: Needles, one, swept, photo 38.005-10-23Jun24-1., 23 Jun (PBard)

38.007 [B&F: 0613] Elachista subocellea (Stephens, 1834) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in woodland edges and clearings throughout much of the British Isles, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight there are recent records only from Botley Wood and Micheldever. Wingspan 8-10 mm. The dorsal suffusion of the forewing with ochreous-yellow and dark-tipped scales is characteristic (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of False-brome.

Record Details

VC10: Brook Down, one, photo 38.007-10-1Jul24-1., 01 Jul (PBard);

VC12: Cholderton, one, 06 Jul; one, 26 Jul (TJN)

38.012 [B&F: 0617] Elachista obliquella Stainton, 1854 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in woodland rides and edges throughout much of England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight thinly distributed, except for the usual concentration of records in the south-east of the county and from Botley Wood in particular. Wingspan 8-10 mm. Very similar to E. cingillella, but margins of the transverse white fascia rather ill-defined in E. obliquella, fascia bounded on both sides by blackish suffusion in E. cingillella. Larva mines leaves of False-brome, Upright Brome and various grasses.

Record Details

VC11: Botley Wood, mine, one, on False-brome. , 10 Mar; mine, two, on False-brome. , 18 Jul (DPH)

Botley Wood
04/01/2024
field observation - mine on False-brome
Dan Houghton
Photo © Dan Houghton

38.023 [B&F: 0595] Elachista biatomella (Stainton, 1848) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on open grassland and heathland throughout England and Wales. In Hampshire restricted to sites such as Portsdown Hill, Martin Down and Oxenbourne Down, with occasional records elsewhere, including one on the Isle of Wight on Culver Down, Bembridge. Wingspan 7-9 mm. Larva mines leaves of Glaucous Sedge.

Record Details

VC11: Butser Hill, one, netted, 03 Jun (AMD);

VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 19 Jul (AMD)

38.025 [B&F: 0597] Elachista atricomella Stainton, 1849 - Common

Common on roadside verges, woodland edges and waste ground throughout the British Isles. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Wingspan 11-13 mm. Well-marked males, with dark head and centrally weak fascia are distinctive, but poorly marked specimens can only be identified by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of Cock's-foot.

Record Details

VC10: Brook Down, one, gen Det., 25 Jun (PBard);

VC11: Romsey, one, 03 Jun; one, 14 Jul (MJB); Lee-on-Solent, one, 29 Jun; one, 30 Jun (IHrg);

VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, gen. det., 23 Jun (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 24 May (CRB,DAS,LHur,PDF); Inhams Copse, Pamber, one, 14 May (GJD)

38.028 [B&F: 0599] Elachista alpinella Stainton, 1854 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in marshes, water-meadows and other damp areas throughout most of the British Isles. In Hampshire known in the past from Titchfield Haven and Leckford. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 9-13 mm. A rather variable species, however, the dark head and incomplete fascia separate it from E. atricomella and E. kilmunella, but the small obscure upland form can easily be passed over as E. humilis (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of various sedges.

Record Details

VC11: Titchfield Haven NNR, mine, two, 22 Apr; #REF!

38.032 [B&F: 0602] Elachista apicipunctella Stainton, 1849 - Local

Local along woodland edges and in woodland clearings throughout much of the British Isles, except for the extreme south-west of England. In Hampshire there is a single old record from "Southampton" in 1937, but the precise place where the specimen was taken is uncertain (MBGBI Vol 3). No more was heard of the species in the county until May 2002, when one was found in a Rothamsted trap at West Park. There have been further scattered records from 2020 onwards. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-11 mm. Similar to E. albifrontella, but the extra subapical spot beyond the costal and tornal spots of the forewing on E. apicipunctella is diagnostic. Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC11: #REF!

38.033 [B&F: 0603] Elachista subnigrella Douglas, 1853 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in dry grassland throughout much of the British Isles, but not in the Highlands or Islands of Scotland. In Hampshire a species of chalk grassland, reported widely but, like others of the genus, it is probably under-recorded; not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1978. Wingspan 7-8 mm. Similar to several other Elachista species, and best identified by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of robust grasses such as Upright Brome and Downy Oat-grass.

Record Details

VC11: Butser Hill, one, netted, gen. det., 03 Jun (AMD)

38.036 [B&F: 0606] Elachista humilis Zeller, 1850 - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats throughout much of Britain, but not in the Highlands or Islands of Scotland; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire reasonably well-distributed in the south of the county, but very infrequent in the north and on the Isle of Wight; probably under-recorded. Wingspan 9-10 mm. The male is extremely similar to the small, poorly-marked upland form of E. alpinella from which it can often reliably be separated only by dissection of the genitalia (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC10: Speedwell, Cranmore, NF, one, gen. det., 18 Jun (AMD)

38.037 [B&F: 0607] Elachista canapennella (Hübner, [1813]) - Common

Common in grassland throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire widespread and reasonably common, but perhaps under-recorded; there have been no recent records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 8-10 mm. The male is usually recognisable by its pale grey-brown forewings that are almost devoid of markings (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC10: Speedwell, Cranmore, NF, one, gen. det., 18 Jun (AMD); Shanklin, one, 30 Jul; one, 07 May; one, field obs., gen det 01 July, 26 Jun; one, 23 Jul; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 29 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Romsey, one, field obs., 17 Apr; one, 22 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 01 Jul; one, 06 Jul; one, male gen det by David Gibbs. , 09 Jul; one, 10 Jul; one, 26 Aug; one, 31 Aug (NRJ); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, one, field obs., 03 May (TCrw det. MJW); Stubbington, one, 07 May; one, 09 May (DPH); Waterlooville, one, 07 Apr; one, 11 Apr; one, field obs., 20 Apr; one, 07 May; one, 28 Jun; one, 02 Jul; one, 26 Jul (DWhe); Merritown Heath, one, 29 Jun (DFoo); Christchurch: Cross Way, one, 09 Jul; one, 31 Jul; one, 01 Aug (LPyk); Christchurch, one, 12 Jul (APard); Hengistbury Head, one, 30 Jul (MJef); New Milton, one, field obs., 03 May; one, field obs., 24 May; Wootton Coppice Inclosure, NF, one, field obs., 18 May; Sway, one, 13 Apr; one, 28 Apr; three, 07 May; one, 09 May; one, 10 May; two, 11 May; one, 12 May; one, 22 Jun; two, 25 Jun; four, 26 Jun; one, 16 Jul; one, 30 Jul; two, 28 Aug; Durns Town, Sway, NF, one, field obs., 26 Apr (SKee);

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 25 Jun (TJN det. BEll); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, field obs., 24 May; North Waltham, one, 11 Apr; one, 03 May; one, 13 Jul (AJon); Basingstoke: Crabtree Plantation, one, 19 Aug (BGD); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, field obs., 30 Apr; one, field obs., 11 May; one, field obs., 06 Jul (ASwa)

38.038 [B&F: 0608] Elachista rufocinerea (Haworth, 1828) - Common

Common in grassland, bogs and heaths throughout the British Isles, but not in northern Scotland. The distribution in Hampshire mirrors those areas in which trapping effort is concentrated, and the moth is probably more widely distributed than the records suggest, but very infrequently recorded on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-11 mm. The reddish ochreous suffusion on a plain ochreous-white ground is diagnostic (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC11: Wildern LNR, Hedge End, one, field obs., 27 Apr (TCrw det. SFoo);

VC12: Cole Henley, one, 07 May (GCE); Inhams Copse, Pamber, one, 26 Jun (GJD); Bramshot Heath, Rushmoor, 50, field obs., multiple females calling - c.1 hr before dusk, 20 Apr (MHals)

38.039 [B&F: 0609] Elachista maculicerusella (Bruand, 1859) - Common

Common in fens and marshes and by rivers and canals throughout much of the British Isles, extending into Scotland as far north as the southern Highlands (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire, widespread and common, but not recorded from the Isle of Wight until one in 2021. Wingspan 10mm. Fairly distinctive, although frequently quite variable. Larva mines leaves of Reed Canary-grass and Common Reed.

Record Details

VC11: Marchwood, one, 11 Jul (CTha); Portchester, one, 27 Aug (DH-J);

VC12: Longparish, one, photograph taken., 03 Aug (GCE); Cheriton, one, 23 Jul (DAS)

38.041 [B&F: 0625] Elachista cinereopunctella (Haworth, 1828) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on limestone grassland, fens and dune slacks throughout much of the British Isles, except for the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. In Hampshire recorded in the past from Leckford, Chilbolton, Portsdown, Sparsholt and Chappet's Copse, West Meon. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 7-9 mm. A reasonably distinctive, well-marked, black and white, elastichid. Larva mines leaves of Glaucous Sedge.

Record Details

VC11: Burley New Inclosure, NF, mine, one, 24 Feb; #REF!

Burley New Inclosure, NF
24/02/2024
field observation - larva in mine
Dan Houghton
Photo © Dan Houghton

38.043 [B&F: 0627] Elachista scirpi Stainton, 1887 - Nationally Scarce A

Nationally scarce (Na) in saltmarshes and brackish marshes, along much of the coast of England, Wales and southern Ireland. Recorded in the past from the Isle of Wight at Yarmouth, but nowadays known in the region only from the salterns on the coast of south-east Hampshire. Wingspan 10-12 mm. The white streak from the base in the costal half of the forewing usually separates this species from its close relatives. Larva mines leaves of Sea Club-rush and Saltmarsh Rush.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater, two, swept, both Gen Det. Photo 38.043-10-28Jun24-1 (Adult + Genitalia) & 2 (Genitalia only)., 28 Jun (PBard)

38.045 [B&F: 0629] Elachista utonella Frey, 1856 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in bogs and on acid heaths throughout much of England and Ireland. In Hampshire apparently restricted to Leckford, Emer Bog, Titchfield Haven, Winnall Moors and the Moors NR, Bishop's Waltham, and strangely absent from the New Forest; there have been no recent records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 8-9 mm. Can be reliably separated from other similar Elachista species only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of various sedges.

Record Details

VC12: #REF!

38.046 [B&F: 0630] Elachista albidella Nylander, [1848] - Local

Local on bogs and acid heaths throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire found mainly in boggy areas of the New Forest, where occasionally abundant and probably under-recorded, and on the heaths of north-east Hampshire; Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 9-10 mm. A small, nondescript moth, the main feature is an elongate dark brown spot on fold just before one-half, often entirely on a white ground colour (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines leaves of Deergrass, Slender Tufted-sedge, Greater Pond-sedge and Common Spike-rush.

Record Details

VC11: Pig Bush, NF, 50, field obs., minimum count, 17 Jun (NRJ)

38.049 [B&F: 0633] Elachista stabilella Stainton, 1858 - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on grassland in parts of south-eastern England, with records north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire known only from the Portsmouth area, where first recorded in 2000, and where it is frequently taken at light; recorded in the past from Freshwater and Ventnor, Isle of Wight, but not on the Island since 1928. Recorded from Blackwater, VC12 in June 2023. Wingspan 7-8 mm. Larva mines leaves of various grasses.

Record Details

VC12: Basingstoke: Crabtree Plantation, one, female, gen. det. Ben Dale, 24 Jul (BGD)