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)
Synonyms
Recurvaria rufescens Haworth, 1828 Brachmia terrella Fischer von Röslerstamm, 1843 Gelechia diaphanella Zeller, 1846 Gelechia isabella Zeller, 1850

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. Adults are on wing from June to August.

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 change leaves several times. Larvae can be found from April to July. They are black and white striped.