ID pointers: The moth measured around 13/14mm. This is Stephen Palmer’s assessment of the moth – As was discussed with Dave, the main stumbling block at the beginning was being able to confirm it was a Gelechiid species and, if the hind-wing shape is not visible, the shape of the palps (the structures in front of the face) are a good guide. They curve up in front of and often over the head (some other families have this as well). In this case the palps weren’t present or visible making this a more complex task to ensure no other species of a different family was involved. When relatively fresh, as this one is, the forewing markings are definitive within both the Gelechiidae and other families of micros, none having the following combination of markings: The jet black forewing colour with two large, black, slightly offset spots at one third followed by a thin, sometimes broken, line of pure white scales. A further rounder black spot at two-thirds again with an outer white line of scales. The broken, slightly curved, white, subterminal fascia, most obvious usually in the costal area, but a little more pronounced in this specimen at the tornus than usual. The cilia of the forewing having alternate white and black patches. The combination of these markings and the broader wing shape with the wings held in a slightly triangular shape help to exclude the two species of Neofriseria (singula and peliella). This pair also have a slightly different arrangement of the spots and white markings in the forewing and, critically, they lack the chequered fringes of alacella. Dave also provided a wingspan of 13-14mm which is spot-on for this species. The head colour was initially a bit of a concern, but looking at various books, MBGBI (Vol 4.2) mentions that a paler front to the face is known and looking at Lepiforum, one or two of their photos of the moth show some paler scales near the top of the head. The Gelechiid Recording Scheme website has a few photos of this species which may be of interest: https://gelechiid.co.uk/species/dichomeris-alacella