GELECHIIDAE | Gelechiinae | Gelechiini​

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35.095 Chionodes distinctella (Eastern 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. Both British species show much variation, they 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.

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

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Page published 04/08/2014 (§1) | §2 added 01/01/2016 | §3 added 13/01/2016 | §4 added 01/10/2017 | §5-9 added 23/05/2019