Azalea Leaf Miner - Caloptilia azaleella

Wingspan 10 to11 mm. Another distinctive member of this family with largely dark brown forewings broken only by a yellow band along the costal margin.

Adult Leafmine

Leafmine occurs on Rhododendron species http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.azaleella2.htm

Gardens etc. where the larval food plants are present.

The adult moth is attracted to light and occurs in 2-3 generations from May to October.

The larvae initially form mines in Azalea leaves, later forming a cone by rolling the leaf downwards from the tip.

This moth is an adventive species, probably introduced with azalea and rhododendron plants, that is now spreading locally throughout southern Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).