Helcystogramma rufescens
| Helcystogramma rufescens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Gelechiidae |
| Genus: | Helcystogramma |
| Species: | H. rufescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Helcystogramma rufescens (Haworth, 1828)[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
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Helcystogramma rufescens is a moth of the Gelechiidae family. It is found in most of Europe.
Grass leaf blades rolled up and discoloured by larva
Larva
The wingspan is 14–17 mm.[2] Adults are on wing from June to August.[3]
The larvae feed on various grasses, including Brachypodium sylvaticum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Poa trivialis, Dactylis glomerata, Phalaris arundinacea, Melica nutans, Calamagrostis arundinacea and Calamagrostis epigejos. They spin grass blades and feed inside the spiral spinning, causing whitening of the grass blade tip. They larvae changes leaves several times. Larvae can be found from April to July. They are black and white striped.[4]