Food Plant: Dactylis spp., Brachypodium sylvaticum (False Brome), Holcus mollis (Creeping soft-grass), Hordelymus europaeus (Wood Barley)

Egg: Laid near to the leaf tip

Mine: November - May

Notes: Mkaes linear mines which are white and with a narrow line of greyish frass. A very similar mine to E.atricomella but the larva in this case is lemon yellow with a light brown head whereas that of atricomella is a pale yellow with a yellowish brown head. Pupates at the leaf base or in detritus. A widespread species found in roadside verges, woodland rides and edges and waste ground. A mine of E. obliquella (upper) and E. luticomella (lower) on Hordelymus europaeus in early spring. The E. obliquella has begun to extend its old (dark brown) overwintering mine up the leaf, producing paler brown mining. The E. luticomella mine is an old brownish mine, fresh mines (in the central leaf, not visible here) are whiter and less obvious. Adults reared.

Data: 24.ii.2024, Aston Rowant NNR, Oxfordshire, VC23

Image:© Will Langdon