Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Caloptilia azaleella (Brants) ( 511-514 )
syn. Caloptilia azaleae (Busck)
larva
extended into an expansive leaf blotch, the latter often
occurring without a preliminary mine. After completion
of the blotch, the larva moves to the leaf tip; this is then
rolled back and secured with silk to form a distinctive
cone-like shelter, within which further feeding occurs; a
second such shelter is constructed before the larva is
fully grown. Pupation takes place within a white cocoon
on the underside of a longitudinally folded leaf.
Outdoors, this species completes two generations (with
adults present in May and August, and larvae in June
and September). The winter is spent in the pupal stage.
Under glass, however, there are several generations
annually and, if conditions remain favourable, breeding
(and, hence, damage) may be continuous.
azalea leaf miner
A native of eastern Asia but now a well-established pest
of indoor azalea ( Rhododendron ) in various parts of
Europe, including Belgium, southern England, France,
Germany and the Netherlands; survives outdoors in
favourable areas. Also introduced into New Zealand and
North America.
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DESCRIPTION
Adult: 10-12 mm wingspan; fore wings violet brown,
with a large, elongate, golden blotch and fine brownish-
black markings; hind wings grey. Larva: up to 12 mm
long; pale greenish yellow; head pale brownish yellow;
early instars legless.
DAMAGE
Heavily infested shrubs are seriously disfigured, both
by the larval shelters and by the blotch mines; the latter
commonly turn brown and infested leaves often shrivel
and fall prematurely.
LIFE HISTORY
Eggs are laid singly, close to the midrib on the underside
of the leaves of azaleas. Immediately after egg-hatch
each larva forms a small, narrow mine which is then
511
512
511 Adult of azalea leaf miner ( Caloptilia azaleella ).
512 Azalea leaf miner ( Caloptilia azaleella ).
513
514
513 Mine of azalea leaf miner ( Caloptilia azaleella ).
514 Habitation of azalea leaf miner ( Caloptilia azaleella ).
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