Bilobed Dichomeris Moth

Appearance

The wingspan is about 15 mm. The forewings are dark grey to blackish, with a large pale brownish-yellow patch from the base along costa, then crossing the wing to the inner margin in the postmedian area. The subterminal line consists of several pale dots. The hindwings are pale grey. Adults are on wing from May to August.

Adult - forewing dark gray to blackish with large pale brownish-yellow patch extending from base along costa, then crossing wing to inner margin in PM area; dark basal coloring along inner margin is constricted in AM area, then expands to form two rounded lobes in median area; reniform spot black, shaped like a bow-tie; PM line brownish-yellow, usually noticeable; subterminal line composed of several pale dots; hindwing pale gray with wide fringe.

Naming

Dichomeris bilobella (Zeller, 1873)
Gelechia bilobella Zeller, 1873
Malacotricha bilobella Zeller, 1873
Trichotaphe bilobella

Behavior

The adults are most common from May to August. Larvae present from spring to July. Young larvae spin a silken web on leaves of host; older larvae pinch or fold leaves together to form a retreat. Leaf folding by the larvae provides protection from predators and dislodgement from the host plant.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid on hostplant in summer but do not hatch until the following spring; young larvae spin a silken web on leaves of host; older larvae pinch or fold leaves together to form a retreat; one generation per year; overwinters as an egg.

Food

Eurybia divaricata (white wood aster), Solidago gigantea (smooth or giant goldenrod), S. flexicaulis (zig-zag goldenrod), S. caesia, Euthamia graminifolia (flat-topped goldenrod).