CLM is a new New World, continental United States, and Florida resident. The hind wings and body are white, with long fringe scales extending from the hindwing margins. The head is very smooth-scaled and white and the haustellum has no basal scales. CLM is most easily detected by its meandering serpentine larval mine, usually on the ventral side of the leaf. The pupa characteristically is in a pupal cell at the leaf margin.
Adults generally are too minute to be easily noticed, and are active diurnally and in the evenings.
The Australian introduction occurred before 1940, and has since 1969 been reported from northern Queensland. CLM has spread to all Florida citrus counties, and to Louisiana and Texas. Florida records include various Citrus spp. Eggs of CLM are laid singly on the underside of host leaves. Egg eclosion occurs within two to 10 days, whereupon larvae immediately enter the leaf and begin feeding.