Rhododendron bud moth

This moth has a distinctive two-year life cycle on rhododendrons and azaleas. Gray adult moths about 0.5 inch long appear in July; females lay eggs just below buds in late June to early July. Creamy white larvae bore into twigs and spend the first winter there, then continue boring downward to overwinter again in the roots.

Look for holes and sawdust around stem bases in the second year. Remove heavily infested branches if practical. Prune affected twigs in fall to eliminate pupae. Maintain plant vigor through proper care. Accept minor damage on healthy plants; chemical control is rarely justified.