Environmental Entomology (1991) 20, 597-602

Russell F. Mizell III and Daniel E. Schiffhauer (1991)
Biology, effect on hosts, and control of the azalea leafminer (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on nursery stock
Environmental Entomology 20 (2), 597-602
Abstract: The biology, effect on plant growth, and control of the azalea leafminer, Caloptilia azaleella (Brants), in container-grown nursery stock and landscape azaleas are reported. Azalea leafminer females survived for 5.3 d and oviposited 5.3 eggs/d. Fifty percent of the eggs were oviposited singularly on leaves. Egg development required 4.2 d at 25°C. Larval development appears to proceed through four and sometimes five instars. In the nursery and landscape, azalea leafminer populations peaked in January-March, but continuous generations occurred throughout the year. Nine species of parasitic Hymenoptera were reared from azalea leaf miner larvae or pupae. Sympiesis sp. (near dolichogastor) and Paroligonerus sp. emerged from azalea leafminer pupae and were the most abundant parasitoids. Azalea leafminer damage to azalea did not affect plant growth. Plant nutritional status and cultivar affected the infestation rate of azalea leafminer. Male response to pheromone production by female azalea leafminer was demonstrated.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Russell F. Mizell III

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
damage/losses/economics

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Caloptilia azaleella	Rhododendron (crop)	U.S.A. (SE)