How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The orange tortrix is found mainly in coastal areas. It overwinters as larvae inside fruit mummies or on alternative hosts and has two to four generations each year. Mustard family weeds are a favored host. Larvae are straw to light green caterpillars with brown heads. When disturbed, they wiggle backward and drop to the ground on a silken thread. Adults are light orange or tan moths with darker mottling on the forewings. Eggs are laid on leaves in overlapping rows that resemble fish scales.

DAMAGE

Larvae feed on leaves and buds. They also feed on fruit during late spring, resulting in shallow feeding damage. Leaves webbed together to form protective cases often indicate the presence of orange tortrix.

MANAGEMENT

Orange tortrix is a cyclical pest and a minor problem in cherries. In coastal orchards, natural enemies and treatments for other pests usually keep this pest controlled. In other areas treatment is not needed.

Biological Control
Several parasites and predators attack orange tortrix. The parasitic wasps Apanteles aristoteliae, Exochus, and Hormius basalis, the tachinid fly (Nemorilla pyste), spiders, and brown lacewings are the most important. These natural enemies usually keep orange tortrix populations under control.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological control and sprays of the Entrust formulation of spinosad are acceptable for use on an organically certified crop.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Check the orchard at bloom for presence of larvae and feeding damage. Dormant spray programs for scales and aphids generally help reduce populations. When necessary, apply an insecticide at petal fall or shortly thereafter.

Common name		Amount to Use**		R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)		(conc.)	(dilute)	(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees. When choosing a pesticide, also consider information relating to environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
A.	METHOXYFENOZIDE
	(Intrepid) 2F	16 fl oz	4 fl oz	4	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 18A
	COMMENTS: Most effective when applied at petalfall. Do not apply more than 16 fl oz/acre/application or 58 fl oz/acre/season. Coverage is extremely important; sprayer speed should not exceed 2 mph.
B.	BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ssp. KURSTAKI#
	(various products)	Label rates		4	0
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 11.B2
	COMMENTS: Least harmful to beneficials. Bt is a stomach poison and must be consumed by the leafroller; therefore it is most effective when applied during warm, dry weather when larvae are actively feeding. Most effective against young larvae. Requires more than 1 treatment; apply second application 7–10 days after first.
C.	SPINOSAD
	(Entrust)#	1.71–2.5 oz	0.43–0.6 oz	4	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 5
	COMMENTS: Most effective when applied at petal fall. This product is toxic to bees for 3 hours following treatment; apply in late evening after bees have stopped foraging. Do not apply more than 9 oz/acre/year.
D.	SPINETORAM
	(Delegate) WG	4.5–7 oz	1.125–1.75 oz	4	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 5
E.	CHLORANTRANILIPROLE
	(Altacor)	3–4.5 oz	0.75–1.125 oz	4	10
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 28
	COMMENTS: Do not use with an adjuvant. A newer material; impact on beneficials not yet determined. May cause mite flare ups.
F.	FLUBENDIAMIDE
	(Belt) SC	3–4 oz	0.75–1 oz	12	7
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 28
	COMMENTS: A newer material; impact on beneficials not yet determined. Highly toxic to honey bees.
G.	CARBARYL*
	(Sevin) XLR PLUS	4 qt	1 qt	12	1
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: May cause increased spider mite problems. Do not apply more than 14 qt XLR PLUS/acre/season. The XLR PLUS formulation is less hazardous to honey bees than other formulations of Sevin if applied from late evening to early morning when bees are not foraging.
**	For concentrate applications, use the amount given in 80–100 gal water/acre, or lower if the label allows; for dilute applications, amount is per 100 gal water to be applied in 300–400 gal water/acre, according to label.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
*	Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
#	Acceptable for organically grown produce.
1	Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County
J. L. Caprile, UC Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County
W. W. Coates, UC Cooperative Extension, San Benito County
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insects and Mites:
J. Colyn, Mid-Valley Ag. Services
M. Devencenzi, Devencenzi Ag. Pest Mgmt. and Research
P. McKenzie, Mid-Valley Ag. Services

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