Pseudotelphusa scalella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found from most of Europe to the southern Ural and the Volga region. It is also found in Turkey.[2]

Pseudotelphusa scalella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Gelechiidae
Genus:	Pseudotelphusa
Species:	P. scalella
Binomial name
Pseudotelphusa scalella (Scopoli, 1763)[1]
Synonyms
Phalaena scalella Scopoli, 1763 Tinea aleella Fabricius, 1794 Yponomeuta bicolorella Treitschke, 1832

The wingspan is 11–15 mm. The moths are on wing from May to June depending on the location.

The larvae feed on moss, lichen and oak trees.

A distinctive 'pied' appearance makes this Gelechiid one of the less difficult to identify. It is distributed in central and southern England, and occurs in continental Europe.

The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the continent it is believed to be associated with oak (Quercus) as well as mosses on tree-trunks.

The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light.

References

Wikispecies has information related to Pseudotelphusa scalella.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pseudotelphusa scalella.

External links

• Lepidoptera of Belgium
• Microlepidoptera.nl (in Dutch)
• UKmoths
• gelechiid.co.uk