Pubitelphusa latifasciella

The broad white forewing fascia, widest dorsally, separates this species from most other small gelechiid moths. The paired white scale tufts anterior to the fascia and the paired dark brown scale tufts near the cilia are additional diagnostic features. The gray cilia with white scale intermixture and the apical dark patch provide further distinguishing characters. Similar Pubitelphusa species lack this specific combination of fascia width, tuft placement, and cilia coloration.

Forewings dark brown with a broad white transverse fascia positioned just before the middle of the wing, widest on the dorsal margin. The fascia is margined anteriorly by two small raised tufts of white scales, one above and one below the fold. Behind the fascia lies a transverse row of raised dark brown scales. The wing beyond this row is dark brown to the cilia, becoming gray at the cilia due to heavy intermixture of white scales. A small irregular patch of dark brown scales occurs at the apex. Two raised tufts of dark brown scales appear nearly opposite the beginning of the cilia, with an indistinct narrow curved gray fascia just behind them.

Eastern and central North America: recorded from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Quebec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Also present in California based on distribution records.

• Other Pubitelphusa speciesLack the distinctive broad white forewing fascia with paired anterior white tufts and posterior dark tufts; wing patterns generally more uniform or with narrower, differently positioned markings.

• Gelechiidae
• moth
• North America
• white band
• forewing pattern

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life