Food Plant: Poa spp. (Meadow grasses), Arrhenatherum elatius (false-oat grass) and other grass species

Mine: April-July

Notes: The larva spins grass blades and feeds inside the spiral spinning, causing whitening of the grass blade tip. It changes leaves several times in the course of its development. The larvae are very striking with black thoracic segments interspersed white white (as shown). A widespread miner in England and Wales, found in rough grassland.

Data: 14.vi.05, Hardy Farm, Chorlton, Manchester VC59

Image:© Ben Smart