35.107 Psoricoptera gibbosella (Zeller, 1839)

Quite variable in colouration with some having prominent ammounts of white scales, giving the moth an overall pale appearance with strongly contrasting darker markings, to specimens with reduced white scaling giving the moth an overall blackish-brown appearance. In fresh specimens it is heavily adorned with raised scale tufts making it a distinctive moth but these are readily lost. At the very base of the forewing, where it touches the thorax, a blackish line can be seen in all but the very darkest specimens.

Psoricoptera speciosella, a species very similar to P. gibbosella, occurs in northern Europe to northern Italy and has been recorded in France. The moth is associated with Salix caprea (goat willow) and is slightly larger and generally blacker. However the species is variable and can have a black and white look to it but usually lacks the brownish colours present in P. gibbosella. In Scandinavia the flight period is given as later than P. gibbosella.