Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Dichomeris Members: 43 NC Records

Dichomeris aglaia Hodges, 1986 - No Common Name

Dichomeris aglaia
view caption 		Dichomeris aglaiaDichomeris aglaia
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Dichomeridinae		P3 Number:
59a0541		 MONA Number:
2302.40
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1986)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Dichomeris aglaia is one of the more distinctive species within the genus, with the most prominent feature being a more-or-less central, triangular, black mark on the basal third of the forewing that does not extend to either the costa or the inner margin. The ground color of the palps, antennae, head, thorax and forewings consists of varying shades of yellowish-brown. The second segment of the labial palp has a prominent ventral and dorsal scale tuft that projects forward, while the head has pale yellowish-gray scales in the middle that are replaced by brownish scales laterally. The thorax has an indistinct brown line in the middle, and often some dark scale patches where it touches the wing base.

The prominent black mark in the basal third of the forewing broadens distally, with the greatest width typically being at least twice that of the shortest width near the wing base. A small white spot is present at the distal tip of the black mark that is followed by a diffuse, black, longitudinal streak that has one or two white spots at its terminus. A white spot is also often present on the distal end that is closest to the inner margin. An oblique, diffuse streak extends from the subapical region inward to just beyond the middle of the wing, while the outer margin has a row of five or six black spots. The hindwings are uniformly warm brown.
Forewing Length: 5.2-7.0 mm (Hodges, 1986).
Adult Structural Features: Hodges (1986) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia. Also, see images below for North Carolina specimens.
Genitalia and other structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leaf tiers that appear to specialize on Dog-fennel (Hodges, 1986). Most aspects of the larval life history are poorly documented. The larvae bundle together several leaves of Dog-fennel to form a shelter and feed on adjoining leaves. Pupation occurs within the shelter, with the pupal stage lasting only 9 - 21 days in June and July in Florida (Hodges, 1986). The larvae have a light yellowish body that contrasts with the jet-black head and prothoracic shield.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Dichomeris aglaia is largely restricted to the Southeast in areas where the host plant is locally abundant. Specimens have been documented from southern Delaware and southeastern Maryland southward along the Atlantic Seaboard to southern Florida, and westward through the Gulf States to Louisiana and east-central Texas. As of 2025, our records are all from the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dichomeris aglaiaAlamance 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.
Immature 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: immatures.
Flight Comments: The adults fly year-round in Florida and in all but the coldest months at other southern locales. As of 2025, our records extend from late-April through early-November. Populations in Florida are multivoltine, while those in North Carolina likely produce at least two broods per year in most populations.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are strongly dependent on Dog-fennel as a larval food source. This species is commonly found in xeric to mesic habitats that are disturbed or fire-maintained. Examples include Longleaf Pine savannas and flatwoods, xeric sandhill communities, old-fields and powerline corridors. As of 2025, we have records from Longleaf Pine habitats, Bluejack-Blackjack Oak forests, old fields, powerline corridors and residential neighborhoods.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae appear to specialize on Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) (Hodges, 1986). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larval leaf ties can be found on Dog-fennel.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Successional Fields and Forblands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S3S4
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 aglaia - None

 35 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-11-08
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George on 2025-08-29
Moore Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Dean Furbish and Joy Wiggins on 2025-08-28
Wake Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2025-08-25
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Sarah Toner and Larry Chen on 2025-08-22
Dare Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-22
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik, David George, Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf on 2025-07-20
Richmond Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: John Petranka on 2024-09-28
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Dean Furbish, Lior S. Carlson on 2024-08-17
Johnston Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
Comment: Reared from larva collected 7/21		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-21
Chatham Co.
Comment: Larva on Dogfennel		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: F. Williams, S. Williams, T. Pusser, M. Cullen on 2024-07-08
Gates Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-09-07
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2023-09-03
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Larry Chen on 2023-08-25
Tyrrell Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-06
Orange Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-09-14
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-07-24
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2022-05-02
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2022-04-23
Wake Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-08-08
Sampson Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2021-08-08
Sampson Co.
Comment:
Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2021-08-03
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris aglaia
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-08-01
Wake Co.
Comment: