Peach: Leafrollers

Biology

Pandemis and fruittree leafrollers may feed on peach. The larvae may feed on leaves or buds, or cause surface damage on young fruit. Fruittree leafrollers are pale to dark green with a shiny black head, and measure about 3⁄4″ long at maturity. The pandemis leafroller larva is similar in appearance, but has a light-colored head. Typical symptoms of leafroller feeding include leaves that are rolled and tied in place with webbing and fruit with shallow surface damage. The caterpillars are active when disturbed, wiggling vigorously or dropping to the ground on a thread. The adult moths are 1⁄2″ to 3⁄4″ long. The adult fruittree leafroller moth is mottled tan and brown. The pandemis adult is light tan with darker bands on the wings.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Pick out and destroy rolled leaves and caterpillars, when practical.
• Pinch rolled leaves to kill caterpillars.
• Encourage natural enemies of caterpillars including birds, parasitic wasps and flies, and predacious beetles. 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.

• See label for minimum time to harvest.
• Apply just after petal fall, only if leafrollers are too numerous to physically destroy.
• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is only useful if larvae are feeding.
• 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.
• Best applied when caterpillars are small and before leaves are rolled, just after petal drop.

Approved Pesticides

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bonide Thuricide BT Concentrate
  Active ingredient: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki [EPA registration number: 4-226]
• Bug Buster-O [Organic]
  Active ingredient: pyrethrins [EPA registration number: 1021-1771-54705]
• Monterey Garden Insect Spray [Organic]
  Active ingredient: spinosad (spinosyn A+D) [EPA registration number: 62719-314-54705]
• Natural Guard Spinosad Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar & Chewing Insect Control
  Active ingredient: spinosad (spinosyn A+D) [EPA registration number: 62719-314-7401]
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.

Additional Images