What is "leek moth"

n. A small moth ((taxlink Acrolepia assectella species noshow=1)) with larvae that feed on ''Allium'' species, mainly leeks.

The leek moth or onion leaf miner (Acrolepiopsis assectella) is a species of moth of family Acrolepiidae, genus Acrolepiopsis, a pest of leek crops. The species is found in Europe and Siberia. It was also recorded from Hawaii, but this was a misidentification of Acrolepiopsis sapporensis.

The wingspan is about 12 mm.

The larvae feed on Allium cepa, Allium cepa var. aggregatum, Allium fistulosum, Allium montanum and Allium porrum. They mine the leaves or bulbs of their host plants. The leaf mine is very variable, ranging from a corridor to a blotch, with or without frass and in the tubular leaves or in the stem. In the case of onions and shallots, the larvae mine down into the bulb.

Pupation takes place in an open network cocoon, either on the food plant or close by.