Gelechia dromicella
Busck, 1910
Gelechia dromicella is a small gelechiid described by Busck in 1910. It is recorded from western North America, with specimens documented from British Columbia, Washington, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Saskatchewan. The has a wingspan of approximately 15 mm and exhibits distinctive forewing patterning with dark fuscous scaling and contrasting white markings.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gelechia dromicella: /ɡɛˈlekiə dɹoʊmaɪˈsɛlə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Gelechia by the combination of: (1) black streak through wing center interrupted by white spot at middle of , (2) poorly defined white fascia at third that does not reach wing margins, and (3) strong blackish fuscous suffusion beyond the apical fascia. The iridescent whitish fuscous hindwings also aid identification.
Images
Appearance
Small with wingspan approximately 15 mm. Forewings fuscous white, heavily overlaid with evenly distributed dark fuscous . Extreme base of black. Central wing with black streak running from base to third, interrupted at middle of by pure white spot. Apical third with transverse, poorly defined pure white fascia that hardly reaches either margin; area outside this fascia strongly suffused with blackish fuscous. Hindwings iridescent whitish fuscous.
Distribution
North America: British Columbia, Washington, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Saskatchewan.
Similar Taxa
- Other Gelechia speciesSimilar size and general wing pattern, but G. dromicella distinguished by specific pattern of black streak interrupted by white spot and white fascia not reaching margins
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was described by August Busck in 1910. The specific epithet 'dromicella' is of unclear etymology but may relate to Greek 'dromos' (running/course), possibly alluding to the streak-like wing pattern.