Pest Profile Photo credit: (left, larva) J.A. Davidson, Univ. Md, College Pk, Bugwood.org, (right, adult) Mark Dreiling, Bugwood.org Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 3.0 license Common Name: Azalea Leafminer Scientific Name: Caloptilia azaleela Order and Family: Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg deposited singly on the undersides of leaves along the midribs Larva/Nymph yellowish 3.0 – 6.3 mm three pairs of abdominal pro-legs found on abdominal segments 3, 4, and 5 Adult small 10.0 – 13.0 mm yellow or golden colored (wingspan) moth with purplish markings on the wings Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Chewing (larvae & caterpillar) Host plant/s: The larvae only eat azalea leaves. Description of Damage (larvae and adults): When young, the larvae tunnel inside the underside of a leaf like a mine. The tunneling causes blotches and lines in the underside of the leaf. When the larvae move to the upper side of the leaf when they are older, they cause leaf curl damage and chew holes in the leaf. The damage from the larvae causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall of the plant. References: Azalea (Rhododendron)-Azalea leafminer. (2018, April 13). Retrieved from https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/azalea- rhododendron-azalea-leafminer Cranshaw, W. (2014). Garden Insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs. Princeton University Press. Dekle, G.W., Buss, J. L., Mizell, F. R. (2010 April). Azalea Leafminer, Caloptilia Azaleella (Brants). Retrieved February 11, 2016 from http://entnem.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/shrubs/azalea_leafminer.htm McLeod, R., Ron, M. (2009 April 13). Species Caloptilia azaleella – Azalea Leafminer – Hodges#0592. Retrieved February 10, 2016 from http://bugguide.net/node/view/265642 .