Dichomeris ochripalpella

The combination of steel-blue metallic costal streak with its characteristic deep excision, the orange-yellow apical costal spot, and the series of steel-blue dots on the hindmargin distinguishes this species from other Dichomeris. The shining blue markings are particularly distinctive among northeastern North American gelechiids. Similar species lack the pronounced excision in the costal streak and the specific pattern of metallic markings.

Small moth with forewings 5.4–6.5 mm in length. Forewings deep brown with a prominent steel-blue, shining streak running along the costa from base to an orange-yellow costal spot near the wing apex. The costal streak is deeply excised (notched) in the middle of the wing. Beneath this excision and near the inner margin lies a short, steel-blue streak. A slender line extends from the costal streak to the inner margin, opposite the orange-yellow spot. The hindmargin bears a series of steel-blue dots. Hindwings uniformly fuscous (dusky brown-gray).

Eastern North America, from southern Quebec and southern Ontario southward through the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States to New Jersey, North Carolina, and west to Arkansas. Records also include Vermont.

Adults active from June to August.

Larvae feed on Aster and Solidago species (Asteraceae).

• Aster - larval food plantgenus in Asteraceae
• Solidago - larval food plantgenus in Asteraceae

• Other Dichomeris speciesSimilar size and general body plan, but distinguished by the unique pattern of steel-blue metallic markings with the deeply excised costal streak and orange-yellow apical spot

• metallic markings
• Asteraceae feeder
• eastern North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life