Pseudotelphusa scalella

Pseudotelphusa scalella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found from most of Europe to the southern Ural and the Volga region. It is also found in Turkey.[2]

Pseudotelphusa scalella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Pseudotelphusa
Species:
P. scalella
Binomial name
Pseudotelphusa scalella
Synonyms
  • Phalaena scalella Scopoli, 1763
  • Tinea aleella Fabricius, 1794
  • Yponomeuta bicolorella Treitschke, 1832

The wingspan is 11–15 mm. The moths are on wing from May to June depending on the location.

The larvae feed on moss, lichen and oak trees.

A distinctive 'pied' appearance makes this Gelechiid one of the less difficult to identify. It is distributed in central and southern England, and occurs in continental Europe.

The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the continent it is believed to be associated with oak (Quercus) as well as mosses on tree-trunks.

The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light.

References

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  1. ^ Fauna Europaea
  2. ^ Junnilainen, J. et al. 2010: The gelechiid fauna of the southern Ural Mountains, part II: list of recorded species with taxonomic notes (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Zootaxa, 2367: 1–68. Preview
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