Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Dichomeris Members: 18 NC Records

Dichomeris inserrata (Walsingham, 1882) - Indented Dichomeris

Dichomeris inserrataDichomeris inserrataDichomeris inserrata
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Dichomeridinae		P3 Number:
59a0556		 MONA Number:
2297.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1986)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Hodges (1986) reported that D. inserrata and D. fistuca have nearly identical external coloration and patterning and require the examination of genitalia for accurate identification. Both species have a two-toned forewing with a creamy-yellow to orangish-yellow region that fills most of the subcostal portion of the wing, along with two large, brownish-black to blackish marks on the remainder of the wing. The first extends from near the wing base along the inner margin and gradually widens near the middle of the wing, then curves inward and terminates on the inner margin at around three-fourths the wing length. The second is a semi-oval mark that fills most of the apical third of the wing. The two marks meet at around three-fourths the wing length and are partially separated by a broadly-angled tooth that tapers to a blunt tip just beyond the middle of the wing. Both species have a noticeable indention along the edge of the basal mark at around two-fifths the wing length that helps to separate these from D. flavocostella.

Although Hodges (1986) favored the use of genitalia for identification, he also noted that the shape of the posterior (inner) margin of the pale costal band in the forewing is useful for sorting these species out. For D. inserrata, the posterior margin is generally straight from the wing base to two-fifths the wing length where the black band bulges outward. It is also either straight or slightly convex as it cuts diagonally across the wing from about two-thirds the wing length to the subapical region of the costa. In contrast, the basal and terminal sections are usually bowed inward for D. fistuca. When combined with the middle section, these produce a pattern of three concave arches.

In North Carolina, Coastal Plain specimens of D. fistuca that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a dull orangish-yellow color in the subcostal region. In contrast, D. inserrata from the mountains that have been identified based on genitalia tend to have a cream-colored to dull white subcostal region. Dichromeris fistuca from the Coastal Plain also commonly has one or more small teeth or indentions between the wing base and the major indentation at two-fifths, while D. inserrata from the Blue Ridge does not. In general, these two groups fit the patterns in maculation described above by Hodges (1986),

Most specimens from the Piedmont resemble D. inserrata from the mountains (see examples on iNaturalist), but have not been identified based on genitalia to confirm that they are this species. We elected to treat these as D. inserrata based on their maculation and geographic distribution, with the caveat that species from this region need confirmation based on the examination of genitalia. Hodges (1986) reported the range of D. fistuca to include Florida northward to coastal South Carolina, which is consistent with our tentative assignment of Piedmont populations to D. inserrata, i.e., that D. fistuca is rarely found outside of the Coastal Plain.
Adult Structural Features: Hodges (1986) has illustrations and descriptions of the male and female genitalia. Also, see images below of North Carolina specimens.
Genitalia and other structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Dichomeris inserrata is found in eastern North America, including portions of southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec) and much of the eastern US from Maine westward to Wisconsin and Minnesota, and southward to eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and southern Florida. As of 2025, this species appears to be restricted to the Blue Ridge and Piedmont, but more effort is needed to identify specimens using genitalia.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dichomeris inserrataAlamance Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe Avery Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick Buncombe Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland Columbus Craven Cumberland Currituck Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hoke Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lee Lenoir Lincoln Macon Madison Martin McDowell Mecklenburg Mitchell Montgomery Moore Nash New Hanover Northampton Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank Pender Perquimans Person Pitt Polk Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham Rowan Rutherford Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge 		Image showing flight dates by month for High Mountains greater than 4,000 feet, Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain: adults.
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from March through October in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak commonly in June and July. As of 2025, our records range from mid-April through early-August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally associated with fields, forest edges and semi-wooded residential neighborhoods with goldenrods nearby.
Larval Host Plants: Larvae feed on goldenrods (Solidago spp.), including Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima; Hodges, 1986; Loeffler 1994). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found on goldenrods during the summer months.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Dichomeris inserrata - Indented Dichomeris

Photos: 13
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-07-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-04-21
Orange Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-04-21
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-04-20
Orange Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-23
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson on 2022-06-26
Orange Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2022-05-16
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-07-28
Orange Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: L. M. Carlson on 2019-07-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-07-09
Madison Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-21
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-06-16
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris inserrata
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-05-18
Madison Co.
Comment: Specimen was dissected.