Cherry: Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer
categories: Cherry Cherry Insects Tree Fruits
last review date: 2026-03-22 12:34
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli
Biology
The adult of the apple-and-thorn skeletonizer is a small dark-brown or reddish-brown moth. The skeletonizer overwinters as a pupa or an adult, with the females laying eggs in the spring.
The caterpillars are yellow green in color, have black spots and brown heads, and feed on the leaves of several plants including apple, crabapple, pear, and hawthorn. Caterpillars are about 1⁄2″ long at maturity.
Characteristic damage includes skeletonized leaves or leaves that are rolled into a cone and tied with webbing. Damaged leaves are brown and papery and drop prematurely.
Attracting and Keeping Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Your Yard and Garden
- Avoid regular use of synthetic, broad-spectrum pesticides.
- Infrequent use of certain narrow-spectrum pesticides is more compatible with some beneficials but generally the less chemical inputs there are, the greater and more diverse the beneficial insect community will be.
- Extensive lawns are also not conducive to attracting and retaining a diversity of beneficial insects, mites and spiders. Minimize lawn areas and maximize shrub and bush plantings.
- Many beneficials reside naturally in riparian and other ‘natural’ areas near to many back yards. Natural dispersion from these refuges ensures that some beneficials will visit back yards but they will not stay unless food, host and shelter resources are available.
- Native plants have closer affinities with native insects and therefore provide most of these resources. A garden with a good diversity of local native flora in and around back yards, will improve the abundance and diversity of local, beneficial arthropods.
- Native flora also provides natural overwintering sites for many beneficial insects and it is useful to leave at least a small area of native vegetation undisturbed during fall and winter.
- Some kinds of beneficial insects (e.g. lady beetles, lacewings, predatory mites) are available for purchase from commercial suppliers. However, benefits from introducing these beneficials are usually limited and short-lived. Upon release, commercially obtained lady beetles and lacewings often disperse and may rapidly leave your backyard despite the presence of prey and suitable nectar resources. Generally, it is more effective and sustainable to create a garden habitat that will be colonized by beneficials naturally.
Management Options
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.
Non-chemical Management
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
- Hand-pick and destroy caterpillars when practical.
- Pinch caterpillars inside rolled leaves or prune and destroy heavily infested twigs.
- Naturally occurring enemies help control populations of apple-and-thorn skeletonizers. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill beneficial insects.
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) will provide control to young feeding caterpillars.
- Use a spreader-sticker with liquid Bt formulations.
- Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall.
- Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.
Approved Pesticides
Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.