Filatima albilorella

(Zeller, 1873)

Filatima albilorella is a small gelechiid found in the southwestern United States. are active from spring through late summer and are distinguished by three oblique white bands on dark brown forewings. The was originally described as Gelechia albilorella by Zeller in 1873.

Filatima albilorella by (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sue Carnahan. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Filatima albilorella: /fɪˈlæ.tɪ.mə ælˌbɪ.lɔˈrɛl.lə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Filatima by the combination of three oblique white forewing fascia on a dark brown ground color. The interruption or reduction of the first and third bands in some individuals may complicate identification. The small size (6 mm forewing length) and southwestern U.S. distribution help narrow possibilities.

Images

Appearance

Small with forewings approximately 6 mm in length. Forewings are dark brown with three distinct oblique white fascia: one at approximately the basal fourth, one at the middle, and one just before the cilia. The first and third white bands are frequently obsolete or interrupted in the middle, creating variable pattern expression.

Distribution

Recorded from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States.

Seasonality

are on wing from March to September.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Filatima speciesMany Filatima share similar size and wing pattern elements; precise identification requires examination of the specific arrangement and completeness of the white fascia.

More Details

Original description

First described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1873 under the name Gelechia albilorella.

Sources and further reading