095 Chionodes distinctella

GELECHIIDAE | Gelechiinae | Gelechiini

35.095 Chionodes distinctella (Moss Groundling)

ws:14-15mm; Jun-Aug; grass roots?; widespread but local throughout UK

Chionodes distinctella §6 female

ID to genus based on male genitalia: Abdominal S8 divided into separate dorsal and ventral plates; gnathos simple; valvae tubular, tapering, without bristles; base of valva not swollen > Chionodes. C.distinctella usually has a generally brownish-fuscous colour compared with the blackish-fuscous colour of C.fumatella; however, both British species show much variation and are best separated on features of the genitalia. In MBGBI3 males are separated on the basis that the uncus of C.fumatella has a short sclerotised apical thorn, lacking in C.distinctella - this feature may have been chosen as it can be seen without dissection (with the aid of a binocular microscope) - however, just about every other feature shows a more obvious distinction. The aedeagus of C.distinctella is long (almost as long as the armature from apex of saccus to apex of uncus), with an obviously reflexed apex; that of C.fumatella is much shorter, without a reflexed apex. The valvae of C.distinctella are short, just reaching the tip of the gnathos; those of C.fumatella are long, reaching the uncus. The saccus of C.distinctella is a long broad plate with fairly straight sides and a rounded apex; that of C.fumatella is shorter with emarginate sides and a squared apex.

Variation
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia

§1 Snettisham, Norfolk; 24/07/2014; male; fw 6.5mm
§2 Winterton, Norfolk; 09/07/2015; male; fw 7.0mm; to light
§3 Winterton, Norfolk; 06/08/2015; female; fw 6.9mm; to light
§4 Dungeness, Kent; 25/07/2017; female; fw 6.7mm; to light
§5 Dungeness, Kent; 25/07/2017; female; fw 6.3mm; to light
§6 Dungeness, Kent; 12/07/2018; female; fw 7.0mm;
§7 Dungeness, Kent; 12/07/2018
§8 Dungeness, Kent; 12/07/2018
§9 Dungeness, Kent; 12/07/2018; male; fw 7.3mm
All images © Chris Lewis

§10 Eskmeals dunes, Cumbria; 21/06/2023
§11 Eskmeals dunes, Cumbria; 21/06/2023