Filatima albicostella
Clarke, 1942
Filatima albicostella is a small gelechiid described by Clarke in 1942. The is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with a yellowish-white ground color suffused with fuscous and a contrasting pale costal edge. It occurs across a broad North American range spanning from the Pacific Northwest to the southern Great Plains and subarctic Canada.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Filatima albicostella: /ˌfɪləˈtaɪmə ˌælbɪˌkɒsˈtɛlə/
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Identification
The combination of small size (18–19 mm wingspan), yellowish-white forewings with heavy fuscous suffusion except for the pale costal edge, and the presence of ill-defined blackish-fuscous streaks in the distinguishes this from other Filatima. The purplish luster and light purplish-fuscous hindwings are additional supporting characters. Similar Filatima species lack the sharply contrasting pale costal edge.
Images
Distribution
North America: recorded from Washington, Kansas, Montana, Texas, and Yukon. GBIF distribution records indicate presence in Canada and the United States.
Similar Taxa
- Other Filatima speciesSimilar in general gelechiid and size; distinguished by the unique forewing pattern of F. albicostella with its pale costal edge against darker suffused ground color
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by Clarke in 1942; the specific epithet albicostella refers to the white (albi-) costal edge (-costella) of the forewing.