Dichomeris opsonoma is a species of moth belonging to the family Gelechiidae. It is often referred to by the common name Macaranga Leaf Roller, reflecting its larval host plant preference and feeding behavior.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Gelechiidae
- Genus: Dichomeris
- Species: D. opsonoma
- Binomial name: Dichomeris opsonoma Meyrick, 1914
Distribution This species is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Its known distribution includes parts of Australia, specifically Queensland, and Papua New Guinea.
Ecology and Biology The larvae of Dichomeris opsonoma are herbivorous and primarily feed on plants of the genus Macaranga, which are tropical trees and shrubs belonging to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). A notable host plant is Macaranga involucrata. As "leaf rollers," the larvae exhibit a characteristic behavior of rolling or folding leaves together, securing them with silk, to create a protective shelter within which they feed and develop. This feeding activity can sometimes be observed as minor defoliation on their host plants. Adult moths of this species, like many in the Gelechiidae family, are typically small and cryptically colored, making them blend in with their environment.