UC IPM Online UC ANR home page UC IPM home page

UC IPM Home

Search

SKIP navigation
How to Manage Pests

Home & garden
Agriculture
Natural environments
Exotic & invasive

Weather data & products
Degree-days
Interactive tools & models

Educational Resources

Publications & more
Workshops and events
PCA exam helper
Pesticide information

Research and IPM

Grants programs
Funded-project results

 
  Printer-friendly version

How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Fruittree leafroller larva.

Cherry

Fruittree Leafroller

Scientific Name: Archips argyrospila

(Reviewed 4/06, updated 4/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The fruittree leafroller overwinters in the egg stage on twigs. Eggs hatch in early spring; larvae are dark green caterpillars with black heads and are about an inch long when fully grown. They pupate inside a webbed leaf shelter. Adult moths emerge in June or July and deposit overwintering eggs. There is one generation each year.

DAMAGE

Larvae feed on leaves and buds, webbing them together to form a protective case. Fruit damage is usually shallow and superficial, and often occurs when leaves and fruit are webbed together.

MANAGEMENT

Bloom time applications for other pests help keep leafroller populations under control. However, regular monitoring each season is important so that prompt action can be taken if damaging populations develop.

Biological Control
A number of parasites, including species of Macrocentrus, Apanteles, and Exochus, attack leafroller larvae. General predators such as green lacewings, assassin bugs, and minute pirate bugs may feed on eggs and larvae. Preservation of natural enemy populations is an important part of keeping leafroller numbers low. Use selective materials that are least disruptive of biological control when treating other pests.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis and the Entrust formulation of spinosad are acceptable for use on an organically certified crop.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Check the orchard in early spring for the presence of larvae and feeding damage. When larval damage is evident in the orchard, apply an insecticide at petal fall or shortly thereafter.

Common name Amount to Use** P.H.I.+
(trade name) (conc.) (dilute) (days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact.
 
A. SPINOSAD
  (Entrust)# 1.71–2.5 oz 0.43–0.6 oz 7
  (Success) 6–8 oz 1.5–2 oz 7
  MODE OF ACTION: A microbial (Group 5)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Most effective when applied at petal fall. This product is toxic to bees for 3 hours following treatment; apply in late evening after bees have stopped foraging. Do not apply more than 29 oz/acre/year of Success or 9 oz/acre/year of Entrust.
 
B. METHOXYFENOZIDE
  (Intrepid) 2F 16 fl oz 4 fl oz 7
  MODE OF ACTION: An insect growth regulator (Group 18)1 insecticide.
  Most effective when applied at petalfall. Do not apply more than 16 fl oz/acre/application or 58 fl oz/acre/season. Coverage is extremely important; sprayer speed should not exceed 2 mph.
 
C. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) XLR Plus 4 qt 1 qt 1
  MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: May cause increased spider mite problems. Do not apply more than 14 qt Sevin XLR Plus/acre/season. The XLR PLUS formulation is less hazardous to honey bees than other formulations if applied from late evening to early morning when bees are not foraging.
 
D. DIAZINON* 50WP 3 lb 1 lb 21
  MODE OF ACTION: An organophosphate (Group 1B)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters. Where cherries are grown adjacent to waterways, do not use this material.
 
E. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ssp. KURSTAKI#
  (various products) Label rates  
  MODE OF ACTION: A microbial (Group 11.B2)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Make 2 applications during bloom: the first at early bloom and the second 7–10 days later, but no later than petal fall. Compatible with fungicide sprays. Good coverage is essential.
 
 
**  For concentrate applications, use the amount given in 80–100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows; for dilute applications, amount is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300–400 gal water/acre, according to label.
+ Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
# Acceptable for organically grown produce.
1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

Top of page

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2006 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r105300211.html revised: April 18, 2006. Contact webmaster.