Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Dichomeris Members: 13 NC Records

Dichomeris setosella (Clemens, 1860) - Hairy Dichomeris

Dichomeris setosellaDichomeris setosella
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Dichomeridinae		P3 Number:
59a0537		 MONA Number:
2302.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1986)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Dichomeris setosella and D. bilobella are two closely related species that have very similar patterning and coloration on the forewing. The basal half has a dull, pale-yellow wash except for a conspicuous dark mark along the inner margin. The mark begins basally as a roughly triangular-shaped feature that contracts posteriorly to a narrow neck before expanding again into a broad, weakly curved, diagonal bar that projects towards the costa. The bar terminates before reaching the costa and is followed posteriorly by a wide zone of grayish to grayish-black wash in the post-medial area. Within this is a small black spot at the end of the cell that is bordered basally and distally to varying degrees with pale-yellow scales. The grayish zone is followed by a narrow, pale-yellow, transverse line that can vary from straight to wavy, particularly in the medial area. The subterminal portion of the forewing has a similar grayish to grayish-black wash, but is often a shade darker than that in the postmedial region. A line of dark dots is present at the base of the termen, with the dots having varying degrees of yellow scaling posteriorly.

North Carolina specimens are best identified using either genitalia, size, or the morphology of the labial palps. For a large series of specimens that have been identified using genitalia (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.), the wing length of D. bilobella typically varies from 8-9 mm versus 6-7 mm for D. setosella. The scaling on the second segment of the labial palps is also diagnostic (Hodges, 1986), with D. setosella having a strong ventral tuft at the apex that projects forward. In contrast, D. bilobella lacks a prominent tuft and has scales on the ventral side that are more or less appressed to the second segment. The most conspicuous scaling is on the dorsal surface. Worn specimens of D. setosella may not have an obvious projecting tuft and can cause confusion. Another feature is that helpful is that the third palp segment is much wider in D. bilobella, about twice the width of that in D. setosella (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.).

Because external patterning on the forewing widely overlaps between these two species, specimens should be submitted with either a wing length measurement or a lateral view of the labial palps.
Forewing Length: Typically 6-7 mm for North Carolina specimens (J.B. Sullivan, pers. comm.).
Adult Structural Features: Monroe (1986) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia and wing venation.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Monroe (1986) noted that D. setosella, D. bilobella, and D. vindex (a more northern species) have commonly been misidentified or confused and many records are unreliable. He reported this species to occur from northwestern New York southward to southern Florida, and westward to Manitoba, eastern Kansas, central Oklahoma, and Brownsville, Texas. This speies probably occurs statewide in North Carolina, but additional information is needed on its distribution within the state.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dichomeris setosellaAlamance 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%20Hanover 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.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are generally associated with open woods, woodland edges or fields where the host plants occur.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae are leaf folders that feed mostly on members of the Asteraceae, including species of Ageratina, Eupatorium, Pluchea, Solidago, Verbesina and Vernonia (Hodges, 1986; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2010). Specific hosts that have been reported include White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), Saltmarsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata) and White Crownbeard (Verbesina virginica). Prentice (1966) reported two isolated cases of this species using Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) in Canada that seem unlikely (Monroe, 1986) and need additional verification. - View
Observation Methods: The adults occasionally visit lights. More information is needed on host use and the larval life history, particularly in North Carolina.
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 setosella - Hairy Dichomeris

Photos: 8
Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: David George, Bonnie Eamick on 2025-04-25
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2025-04-05
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-02
Wake Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-04-25
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: J. A. Anderson on 2018-04-14
Surry Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn on 2014-06-07
Avery Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris setosellaRecorded by: Tom Sanders on 2012-04-19
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: