38.045 Elachista utonella (Bog Sedge-miner)
ws: 8-9mm; May-Jul?; sedges esp lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis), greater tussock-sedge (C.paniculata), bladder sedge (C.vesicaria); NS-B on bogs and acid heaths in England.
MBGBI3 gives the flight period as May to Mid-July; Hants Moths gives Jun-Aug; Norfolk Moths follows MBGBI3 but then gives all actual records from mid-July to mid August. §1 was obtained as a fresh specimen in late July. I suspect the dates provided by MBGBI3 are incorrect.
MBGBI3 gives the flight period as May to Mid-July; Hants Moths gives Jun-Aug; Norfolk Moths follows MBGBI3 but then gives all actual records from mid-July to mid August. §1 was obtained as a fresh specimen in late July. I suspect the dates provided by MBGBI3 are incorrect.
Elachista utonella §1 male
ID: Group C - forewing with markings both paler and darker than ground colour > 6 species which require genital dissection to distinguish. It appears that only E.albidella, E.utonella & E.eleochariella show an elongate dark mark in the fold near the dorsum, just before 1/2.
Male genitalia: - paired gnathos > the former Biselachista species (excludes E.biatomella); E.albidella has a pointed extension at apex of valva. E.serricornis has narrow elongate uncus lobes. The remaining 3 species can be separated by the relative breadths of the base and apex of the the valvae. In E.scirpi the valva is widest near its apex; in E.utonella is is widest at the base, the apex being distinctly narrower; in E.eleochariella the apex and base are of similar width.
Male genitalia: - paired gnathos > the former Biselachista species (excludes E.biatomella); E.albidella has a pointed extension at apex of valva. E.serricornis has narrow elongate uncus lobes. The remaining 3 species can be separated by the relative breadths of the base and apex of the the valvae. In E.scirpi the valva is widest near its apex; in E.utonella is is widest at the base, the apex being distinctly narrower; in E.eleochariella the apex and base are of similar width.
§1 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 25/07/2014; male; fw 4.6mm
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 04/08/2014 (§1)
