Strawberry leafrollers (tortix)
Ancylis comptana (Froelich)
(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Description:

Adults are small, bell-shaped tortricid moths that are rust-brown in color with markings of light yellow on the wings (see UC Davis site for photo of adult http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/A/I-LP-ACOM-AD.001.html) . Adults have a wing span of approximately 12 mm. The slender larvae are nearly 1/2 inch long when mature. Larvae are slender, have light green-brownbdies and reach just over 12 mm when fully grown.

Biology and damage:

Strawberry leafrollers are common pests in the eastern half of the United States. The insect has several, usually 2-3 generations per year. Adults emerge in early April to May and deposit tny eggs on the foliage. Hatching occurs in about 1 wk, and the larvae complete their development in 40 to 59 days. Damage results from larvae feeding on leaves and rolling the leaves by means of silk webbing. Once enclosed in the rolled leaf, larvae continue to feed. Some leafrollers may consume whole leaf tissue. Leaf feeding results in reduced runner formation, interference with ripening fruit, and plant kill. Strawberries are quite tolerant of the leaf feeding species and can support high population levels without economic loss.

Management:

CHEMICAL CONTROL
Virginia home spray guidelines
California guidelines

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL:
Strawberry leafroller has a large complex of parasites that play a major role in lowering pest populations.

CULTURAL CONTROL:
In areas with a chronic leafroller problem, it may be feasible to remove accumulated trash in spring around the plants with either blowers or suction devices to limit the potential for a large population buildup (UC-Davis).