Elachista velutina

Elachista velutina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Elachistidae
Genus:	Elachista
Species:	E. velutina
Binomial name
Elachista velutina Kaila, 2011

Elachista velutina is a moth of the Elachistidae family that is found on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.^[1]

The wingspan is 10.4–14 millimetres (0.41–0.55 in) for males and 11.2–13 millimetres (0.44–0.51 in) for females. The forewings are pale grey while the hindwings are grey.

The larvae feed on Lepidosperma longitudinale and possibly Lepidosperma limicola. They mine the leaves of their host plant. Young larvae mine upwards, creating a straight and narrow initial stage of the mine. Later, the mine slowly widens and turns downwards. The whole mine, except the last 20 millimetres (0.79 in), is filled with frass. Pupation takes place outside of the mine on a leaf of the host plant.

References

1. Lauri Kaila. "Elachistine Moths of Australia: Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Elachistidae". Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera. CSIRO. 11.