DESCRIPTION
Larvae are 2 to 3 cm green caterpillars with brown heads, usually found inside rolled leaves. Adults are 1 to 2 cm mottled brown moths.

DAMAGE
Leafrollers feed on fruit as well as ornamental trees and shrubs. Larvae roll leaves around them using silk, then feed on enclosed buds, leaves and fruit.

LIFE CYCLE
Eggs overwinter on tree bark and hatch in early spring. Larvae feed about one month, then pupate inside rolled leaves or on bark. Adults emerge in late June or July to lay overwintering eggs. There is one, and often two, generations per year.

CONTROLS
• Apply dormant oil in March to smother overwintering eggs.
• Inspect plants frequently for tiny green caterpillars before they begin to roll leaves.
• If practical, remove caterpillars by hand.
• Apply pesticide just after new growth opens on ornamentals, and just after petal fall on fruit before young larvae begin to roll leaves.
• Keep a pest journal for next year, recording host plants, controls used and when you first noticed pest in relation to leaf/fruit emergence or another plant in bloom.

PESTICIDES
• Chemical-Diazinon, Methoxychlor or Phosalone (Fruit Plus) at label rates.
• Latox at label rates is quite effective if larvae have already rolled leaves, but do not use it on fruit producing plants.
• Alternative-Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki), Pyrethrin or Rotenone at label rates.