Strawberry Tortrix Moth - A leaf roller that joins leaves by silken webs or threads

Most damage to strawberry plants by the Tortrix Moth is done to foliage as the caterpillars feed on the young foliage inside a protective web of silk thread spun by the emerging caterpillars as a safe house!

The moth lays it's eggs in May and they turn into small caterpillars within a few days. The caterpillars fold the leaves together and then feed on them - eventually falling to the ground in the leaf litter, where it forms a cocoon and overwinters - ready to emerge as a moth early spring.

The Strawberry Tortrix Moth can range in colour from dark brown to bright-ish orange brown.

There are a number of different Tortrix moths, but this one is specific to strawberries.

Little damage is done to the actual fruit directly, but the caterpillars feed on the young leaves and also the flower petals.

There can be two generations a year, with infestations visible from April-June and also July-September. The adult moths have a small wingspan - 15mm across.

Not a huge pest in the private garden, but can be moreso where strawberries are grown commercially.

The spun leaves should be picked off and burned complete with caterpillars, or spraying with Bifenthrin is effective. Bifenthrin is a contact spray and should be applied before flowering, and also after last picking.