About Dichomeris juncidella (Clemens, 1860)
Dichomeris juncidella is a species of moth belonging to the family Gelechiidae. It was first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. This moth is native to North America, with confirmed recorded occurrences ranging from Nova Scotia, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario in the north, south to Florida and Texas, and west to Nebraska. The wingspan of adult Dichomeris juncidella measures approximately 13 mm. Its forewings are dark brown, appearing almost blackish-brown, and feature multiple ochreous-orange spots: one on the disc, one on the subcostal nervure closer to the wing base, one below this spot in the fold, and another at the end of the disc, all sharing the same ochreous-orange colour. A small additional ochreous-orange spot is present on the costa near the wing tip. The hindwings of this moth are dull yellowish brown. Adult moths can be found in flight from March through October each year. The larvae of Dichomeris juncidella feed on the plants Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Artemisia trifida, Solidago, Aster, Helianthus tuberosus, and Aralia spinosa.
