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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Larva of obliquebanded leafroller.

Cherry

Obliquebanded Leafroller

Scientific Name: Choristoneura rosaceana

(Reviewed 4/06, updated 4/06)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Obliquebanded leafrollers overwinter as third instar larvae under bud scales. The overwintered larvae pupate in spring and the first generation of adults emerges in late March or April. Larvae are yellowish green with brown to black heads. As they mature, larvae construct tubular shelters from a single leaf. Adults are reddish brown moths with dark brown bands on the wings. There are two or three generations a year in the Central Valley; this pest is generally not found in coastal growing areas.

DAMAGE

Infestations of obliquebanded leafroller can occasionally reach damaging levels in cherry. Larvae feed on flower parts and on fruit early in the season, causing deep depressions.

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 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
Biological control and sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis and the Entrust formulation of spinosad are acceptable for use on an organically certified crop.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Although research has not been conducted in cherries, studies in almond orchards indicate that two bloom sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis or a petal fall treatment of spinosad or methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) are more effective at controlling this pest than a dormant treatment. Monitor and treat orchards that had large populations of larvae the previous summer or where the previous year's crop was infested with obliquebanded leafroller larvae.

Common name Amount to Use** P.H.I.+
(trade name) (conc.) (dilute) (days)
BLOOM
A. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ssp. KURSTAKI#
  (various products) Label rates 0
  MODE OF ACTION: A microbial (Group 11.B2)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: Least harmful to beneficials. Bt is a stomach poison and must be consumed by the leafroller; therefore it is most effective when applied during warm, dry weather when larvae are actively feeding. Most effective against young larvae. Requires more than 1 treatment; apply second application 7–10 days after first.
 
B. 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 petalfall. A fermentation-derived insect control product that does not appear to be disruptive of most natural enemies. 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.
 
C. METHOXYFENOZIDE
  (Intrepid) 2F 16 fl oz 4 fl oz 7
  MODE OF ACTION: An insect growth regulator (Group 18)1 insecticide.
  COMMENTS: 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.
 
 
**  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.
# Acceptable for use on 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

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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