Relict populations of Lyonetia ledi Wocke, 1859 (Lepidoptera, Lyonetiidae) from the Alps indicate postglacial host-plant shift to the famous Alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum L.)

Lyonetia ledi Wocke, 1859 (Lyonetiidae), was hitherto considered as a boreal species with circumpolar distribution pattern and relict populations in isolated peat bogs north-east of the Alps (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany). In Europe it is known leaf-miner on Rhododendron tomentosum Stokes ex Harmaja (Ericaceae) primary host-plant also Myrica gale L. (Myricaceae). The first record from Swiss ferrugineum L., famous Alpenrose, indicates an ancient switch during postglacial periods when R. shared habitat prealps. Conspecificity northern supported by adult morphology supplementing DNA barcodes (mtDNA COI gene). obligatory leaf-mining . Details life-history are described figured. finally substantiates probability autochthonous population Carinthia (Austria), where recently published new to Alps.