Fruittree leafroller
Archips argyrospila
50 host plants
Last updated
In spring when fruit buds open through early summer, look for tightly rolled leaves webbed together on Prunus species, apple, and serviceberry. The rolled leaves harbor greenish caterpillars with black heads that feed on expanding foliage and young fruit. Unroll damaged leaves to find the small (0.75 inch) larvae; they will wiggle rapidly backward when disturbed. Shallow surface damage on fruit or petal-fall-stage fruit scarring signals early generation feeding.
Scout for leaf rolling during bud break and remove affected shoots by hand if populations are light. Allow natural parasitoids to suppress populations. For heavier infestations, apply spinosad at the larval stage before fruit damage. Time applications when 75 percent of flower buds have separated. In organic systems, kaolin spray during egg hatch can reduce successful colonization.
Quick Reference
The larvae of the fruittree leafroller feed on leaves, flower parts, and sometimes young fruit. They are pale to dark green with a shiny black head and are about 3/4" long at maturity. Typical symptoms of leafroller feeding include leaves that are rolled and tied in place with webbing and shallow surface damage on the fruit. The caterpillars are active when disturbed, wiggling vigorously or dropping to the ground on a thread. Larvae are usually mature by the end of May, and adults may be found any time from early June to mid-August. The adult moth is 1/2" to 3/4" long and mottled tan and brown
Cultural Controls
- Spiders and parasitic wasps, as well as predators like the brown lacewing, greatly reduce leafroller populations throughout the year.
- Hand-pick rolled leaves containing larvae or pupae.
- Removal of overwintering sites, such as rolled leaves on the ground can reduce next year's population.
- Management-