Dichomeris leuconotella

(Busck, 1904)

Two-spotted Dichomeris Moth

Dichomeris leuconotella is a described by August Busck in 1904. Its are specialized leaf-folders on goldenrods (Solidago spp.), constructing -bound shelters for feeding and protection. are active from June to September across much of North America.

Dichomeris leuconotella by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dichomeris leuconotella: /ˈdaɪkoʊˌmɛrɪs ˌljuːkəˈnɒtɛlə/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Dichomeris by the prominent canary spot at the end of the , contrasting with the dark purplish ground color. The triangular light-brown spot is faint and less diagnostic. The combination of dark forewings with a bright yellow discal spot is distinctive within the .

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. are dark purplish and , with a conspicuous canary , somewhat elongated spot at the end of the and a barely visible triangular light-brown spot at the third. are dark fuscous.

Habitat

Open fields containing plants. Larval microhabitat consists of folded leaves on goldenrod plants, with specific host and conditions affecting larval performance.

Distribution

North America: recorded from Nova Scotia to Maryland, southern Canada (including Alberta), Washington, Colorado, Iowa, and Indiana.

Seasonality

on from June to September. Larval activity coincides with growing season.

Diet

feed on leaves of Solidago uliginosa, Helianthus grosseserratus, and Aster . Feeding occurs within constructed leaf folds.

Host Associations

Solidago uliginosa - larval primary in some studies
Helianthus grosseserratus - larval
Aster species - larval
Solidago spp. - larval general ; specific affect larval growth and survival

Life Cycle

Early construct leaf folds or webs on plants for shelter and feeding. Larvae remain within these , with refuge quality affecting growth rates. Disturbed larvae that rebuild shelters on younger leaves show higher growth rates than those remaining on senescing leaves. likely occurs within shelters, though specific details are not documented.

Behavior

exhibit leaf-folding , using to bind leaves into shelters that provide favorable microclimate and protection. a trade-off between and optimal feeding: remaining in established shelters risks exposure to leaf , while rebuilding shelters risks dislodgment or wandering-related mortality. In the absence of , forced refuge changes increase disappearance rates due to falling or wandering from plants.

Ecological Role

on goldenrods and related asters; leaf-folding damage may influence through localized tissue removal and photosynthetic reduction.

Similar Taxa

Other Dichomeris speciesSimilar size and shape; distinguished by the conspicuous canary spot and dark purplish ground color of D. leuconotella

More Details

Leaf-folding energetics

Contrary to expectation, the energetic cost of production for construction appears negligible or easily compensated in this . Growth rate reductions from refuge rebuilding are attributable to leaf age selection rather than metabolic costs of silk production.