A review of the Scythris tributella (Zeller, 1847) complex is given. All synonyms are reconsidered by study of the genitalia of the types and relevant specimens. One of the synonyms, S. terrenella (Zeller, 1847), is restored to specific status and all of the other synonyms hitherto are shown not to be synonyms of S. tributella. S. tributella appears to have only been found on Sicily, whereas S. terrenella (Zeller, 1847) is distributed over Central and South Europe, and also in Libya.