The identity of Tinea megerlella Hubner, 1810 : A long-lasting confusion between Elachista (Elachistidae) and Adela (Adelidae)

Examination of Hubner's [1810] figure (p. 44, fig. 307) demonstrated that the current use of the name Tinea megerlella Hubner, [1810] for a species in the genus Elachista (Gelechioidea, Elachistidae) is incorrect. We provide evidence that Hubner may have figured a female of the species currently known as Adela associatella (Zeller, 1839) (Incurvarioidea, Adelidae). As this newly discovered senior subjective synonym, Adela megerlella (Hubner, [1810]), has not been used for the species of Adela for more than 100 years, whereas the junior synonym, A. associatella, is commonly accepted (at least 26 references, all by different authors, during the past 50 years), our discovery has no effect on the nomenclature of fairy moths (Adelidae): the junior synonym is protected in accordance with ICZN Article 23.9.1. However, the name Elachista obliquella Stainton, 1854, should be used for the species currently known as Elachista megerlella auct., because the latter name (misidentification) is invalid according to ICZN Article 49. Neotypes designated for both Tinea megerlella Hubner and Elachista obliquella Stainton are deposited in the Natural History Museum (London).