Bug FAQJuniper Webworm Moth and Allies
Dichomeris marginella · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Gelechiidae
Also called: Juniper Webber, Juniper Webworm Moth, Juniper webworm
The Juniper Webworm Moth has a wingspan of about 14 to 16 mm and grey, up-turned labial palps. Adults fly from May to August in Europe, where the species is native. Its larvae spin silken webs among the needles of several juniper species and feed on the foliage.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The moth’s labial palps are grey, long and turned upward. Forewings are ochre with a white or cream border along the leading and trailing edges, while hindwings are light grey.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from 14 to 16 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found throughout Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on Juniperus communis, J. chinensis, J. horizontalis, J. recurva and J. virginiana, building silken webs between the needles.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from May through August, timing varying by location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period spans May to August depending on where they live.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 18 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What do the larvae of the Juniper Webworm Moth eat?
The caterpillars feed on several juniper species, spinning silken webs among the needles.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I see adult Juniper Webworm Moths?
Adults are active from May to August, with exact timing depending on the local climate.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell this moth apart from similar species?
Look for ochre forewings with a white or cream border and light grey hindwings; the labial palps are grey, long and up-turned.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Juniper Webworm Moth found?
It occurs throughout Europe, which is also its native range.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Gelechiidae)
Angoumois Grain MothSitotroga cerealellaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Boxelder Leafworm MothChionodes obscurusella
Hairy, Toothed, and Shining Dichomeris Moths and AlliesDichomeris setosella
Black-smudged Chionodes Moth and AlliesChionodes occidentellaBlack-smudged Chionodes MothChionodes mediofuscella
Inverse and Kimball's Dichomeris MothsDichomeris inversellaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichomeris_marginella
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-28 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-28.