Rhododendron (Rhododendron)-Bud moth

Coleotechnites huntella

Pest description and crop damage Pink larvae overwinter in the larger buds. They pupate in buds or twigs in the spring. Adults are gray moths, about 0.5 inch long, appearing in July. New larvae make blotch mines covered with silk and debris on the underside of host leaves. Later, they mine the midrib and then bore into twigs and bud bases in the fall.

Management-chemical control

See:

Spray in May, June, and July. Covering bottoms of leaves is essential.