Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFGelechiidae Members: Dichomeris Members: 3 NC Records

Dichomeris crepida Hodges, 1986 - No Common Name

Dichomeris crepidaDichomeris crepida
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Gelechioidea		 Family:
Gelechiidae		Subfamily:
Dichomeridinae		P3 Number:
59a0581		 MONA Number:
2305.20
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Hodges (1986).                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Dichomeris crepita is characterized by a dark-brown forewing that has a diffuse light streak that extends from the wing base to the middle of the wing or beyond, and in some cases nearly to the apex. Worn specimens commonly have pale veins with reddish-brown scales between the veins. The outer surface of the second segment of the labial palp is dark grayish-brown, while the apex is yellowish white. The dorsal surface has a white scale tuft, while the ventral surface lacks a tuft and has a series of tightly appressed scales. The third segment is uniformly pale yellow and darker than the white dorsal tuft below (Hodges, 1986). The frons is mainly brownish orange, and the vertex and occiput mostly grayish-brown. The antenna is dark brown and the thorax is dark-brown along the margins and streaked with grayish orange in the middle. The forelegs and midlegs are predominantly dark-brown, while the hindlegs are paler.

Dichomeris offula is most similar to D. crepida, but D. crepida has the light-colored scales on the forewing extending from the base of the wing in a streaked pattern. In contrast, the light-colored scales of D. offula are restricted to an area between one-half and three-fourths the wing length.
Forewing Length: 4.8- 7.8 mm (Hodges, 1986).
Adult Structural Features: Hodges (1986) has illustrations of the male and female genitalia. Also, see images below of North Carolina specimens.
Genitalia and other structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: As of 2025, we are unaware of any documentation of the host plants or larval life history.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Dichomeris crepida is mostly found in coastal communities from Louisiana eastward to Florida, and northward to North Carolina. It is most common along the Gulf Coast, with only a few records from the Atlantic Coast. As of 2025, our records are also from coastal communities.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dichomeris crepidaAlamance 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 documented from February through November in different areas of the range, with a seasonal peak in February through April, and a second in August through October, which suggests the possibility of two broods being produced each year. As of 2025, our records are from April and July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are typically found in coastal communities, but details of the specific habitat requirements are poorly documented. Our three records as of 2025 are from a coastal dune and scrub community and a maritime forest.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are apparently undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection:
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Dichomeris crepida - None

Photos: 3
Dichomeris crepida
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Dichomeris crepida
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-07-25
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Not sure of species ID.
Dichomeris crepida
Recorded by: Randy Newman on 2022-04-20
Carteret Co.
Comment: Specimen determined by dissection by J.B. Sullivan