Azalea Leafminer Moth
Common NameAzalea Leafminer Moth
Scientific NameCaloptilia azaleella
FamilyGracillariidae
SubfamilyGracillariinae
Wingspan (mm)11.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, yellowish, bronze
HabitatGardens, nurseries, and cultivated areas where azaleas are grown
Geographic RangeWidespread globally in regions where azaleas are cultivated, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
Host PlantsAzalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Flight PeriodMultiple generations from spring to fall (e.g., April to October in temperate regions)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are leaf miners, creating blotch mines on azalea leaves. They then exit the mine to pupate, often rolling a leaf edge. Multiple generations occur annually.
Identification TipsLook for small, slender moths near azalea plants, characteristic blotch mines on azalea leaves, and the mottled brown/yellowish wing pattern with pointed, tufted wing tips.
Description
A very small, slender moth with long, narrow, mottled brownish-bronze forewings, often featuring a yellowish streak along the body or costa, and a distinctive tuft of dark scales at the wing tips.
