Gelechia

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Generic features: Labial palp S2 with ventral brush of scales, sometimes tufted; Forewing V7 to costa, V8 stalked with V7, V4&3 stalked;
Hindwing V7&6 stalked, V4&3 connate; 
Male genitalia: Uncus hood-shaped, tegumen supported by 2 flattened rods, gnathos 2-lobed
Female genitalia: short lateral lobes on genital plates, signum quadrangular or absent
9 extant British species (+1 extinct), most are local or rare

Key to species of Gelechia
​Labial palp S2 with large ventral tuft	Outer surface of labial palp S2 black in proximal half, white in distal half		G.sabinellus
	​Outer surface of labial palp S2 dark at base and apex with white centre		G.senticetella / G.cuneatella
​Labial palp S2 with ventral brush of scales not forming a large tuft	​Forewing with distinct black mark at base of costa	F​orewing stigmata large and black	G.rhombella
		F​orewing stigmata small and indistinct	G.hippophaella
	Abdominal tergites 1-3 ochreous-yellow	F​orewing densely suffused black	G.nigra
		F​orewing with 1st discal stigma narrowly white ringed; ws13-16mm	G.muscosella
		F​orewing with 1st discal stigma with white mark apically but not ringed white; ​ws17-20mm	G.turpella
	F​orewing with 1st discal stigma distinctly white-ringed		G.sororculella
	Otherwise		G.scotinella

This key is based on that in MBGBI4.2. G.senticetella is separated from G.cuneatella in that key on the basis that the lateral aspect of S2 of the labial palp is dark-brown in G.cuneatella and reddish-brown in G.senticetella. In specimens that I have confirmed to be G.senticetella the lateral aspect of S2 of the labial palps appears to be blackish without any hint of reddish - so I would regard this as a completely unreliable means of distinguishing these two species. Although this key provides clues, I would not be confident of the identification of any Gelechia species without confirmation by genital dissection.

G.senticetella: Labial palp S2 with large ventral tuft, outer aspect dark with white centre

G.muscosella: Labial palp S2 not tufted

G.muscosella: forewing with first discal stigma narrowly white-ringed!

G.muscosella: S1-3 of abdominal dorsum ochreous-yellow

G.sororculella: forewing with first discal stigma distinctly white-ringed!

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Keys to male and female genitalia to follow when sufficient material obtained.

G.muscosella

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Page published 01/10/2018