Strawberry Leafroller – Ancylis comptana fragariae
Strawberry Leafroller – Ancylis comptana fragariae
Scientific name: Ancylis comptana fragariae
Common name: Strawberry leafroller, Comptan’s ancylis moth
Appearance: Strawberry leafroller is a reddish-brown moth belonging to the family Tortricidae. It has characteristic gray, tan, and white streakings on the forewings. The hindwings are entirely gray. It has a wingspan of up to 13mm and 2 or 3 generations per year. In the early larval stage, it is pale green with a brown head but turns yellow as it progresses.
Host plants or food: Strawberry leafroller mainly feeds on members of the family Rosaceae, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and roses.
Territory: Throughout North America, California, Colorado, and Alaska
Mode of damage: Strawberry leafrollers are leaf chewers; however, they first roll the leaves and form a silk web over them.
Habits and life history
Strawberry leafroller larvae secrete silk threads that tie the foliage into rolls.
The larvae undergo hibernation during early fall when they are overwintering. Optimum temperature for larval development is between 18 and 30°C (64-86°F).
Female strawberry leafrollers lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. They can lay almost 120 eggs during their lifetime.
The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the leaves and start rolling and binding the foliage.
They produce 2 or 3 generations per year, depending on the area.