Grass-miner
Guides
Cerodontha arundinariella
Cerodontha arundinariella is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. As a member of the genus Cerodontha, its larvae develop within the leaf tissue of host plants, creating distinctive mines between the upper and lower epidermis. The species epithet suggests an association with bamboo or reed-like plants (Arundinaria). Very few observations of this species have been documented, reflecting either genuine rarity or undercollection due to its small size and specialized habitat.
Elachista
grass-miner moths, typical grass miner moths
Elachista is a large genus of very small gelechioid moths, the type genus of the family Elachistidae. These grass-miner moths are characterized by reduced, "feathery" hindwings and typically display one to three light transverse bands on the forewing uppersides. The genus has a near-cosmopolitan distribution, being absent only from very cold regions and some oceanic islands, with highest diversity in the Palearctic. Taxonomic complexity includes numerous undescribed species, cryptic species complexes, and disputed subgeneric classifications.
Elachista irrorata
A small North American moth in the family Elachistidae, described by Braun in 1920. Adults have a wingspan of 8.2–11 mm and are active from March through October. The larvae are leaf miners that feed on two specific grass species: Glyceria striata and Agrostis perennans, with larval activity occurring in April and May. The species is recorded from 11 states/provinces in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada.