Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

17 July 2004   (date of capture)  (top left and right)
21 July 2004   8:56PM EST  (bottom left)
21 July 2004   8:55PM EST  (bottom right)
The top two photos are of one specimen; the bottom two photos, of another specimen.

My identification of the specimens above was based on Hodges, R.W., Gelechioidea: Gelechiidae (in part) in Dominick, R.B. et al., The Moths of North America North of Mexico, Fascicle 7.1 (Washington: The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, 1986).

Unlike many other micro moths, Dichomeris ochripalpella is readily identifiable on the basis of its appearance.  Its species name refers to the light orange labial palps visible in the photo at top right, which appear dark in the other photos as a result of lighting and camera angle.  Lighting has a substantial effect on the appearance of this species; the shining bluish silvery area along the costa is quite eye-catching if the light is right, but otherwise may appear drab and dark as in the bottom left photo.  The area along the inner margin is dark brown to black, wider at the base of the wing and narrowest towards the anal angle.  Midway down the silver area, there is a somewhat angular blotch of reddish brown.  The end of the forewing is also brown, defined by a line from anal angle to apex.  On the costa at the apex of the wing, there is a small yellowish patch, most visible in the top right photo.  The hindwing appears light brownish.  Hodges notes a wing length ranging from 5.4 to 6.5 mm for this species.     

According to Hodges (1986), larvae of Dichomeris ochripalpella have been found in association with aster and goldenrod species, and the host plants appear to be members of the Compositae.  Adult moths occur from June to August, but mainly in July.

My records to date for Dichomeris ochripalpella (each date representing "the night of") are in the table below: