Carnation tortrix

Carnation tortrix caterpillars roll and tie leaves together with silk webbing, feeding inside the protective shelter on a wide range of ornamental shrubs and perennials. You will see rolled or folded leaves with frass inside, and small green caterpillars that wriggle backward rapidly when disturbed. Damage appears from late spring through fall in gardens on hosts including roses, carnations, and many broadleaf shrubs.

Hand-pick rolled leaves and destroy them to break the lifecycle. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) applied when caterpillars are small and actively feeding provides targeted control without harming beneficial insects. Parasitic wasps naturally suppress populations. Encourage beneficial insect habitat near affected plants rather than resorting to broad-spectrum sprays.