Red-brown tortrix

Systematic position. The red-brown tortrix (Acleris notana) belongs to the order Lepidoptera and the family Tortricidae. This moth is a recognized pest in horticultural environments, known for its ability to affect various woody plants throughout the temperate climate zones.

Host plants. The primary hosts include pome and stone fruit trees, such as apple, pear, and cherry. It is frequently observed in fruit orchards and nurseries where it can cause significant aesthetic and physiological damage if left unmanaged during the early stages of vegetation.

Biology and life cycle. This species typically overwinters as an adult moth in sheltered locations like bark crevices or leaf litter. In the spring, they emerge to mate and lay eggs on the foliage. The larvae develop through several instars, feeding on the host tissue before pupating within the characteristic rolled-leaf structures.

Damage and economic significance. Larvae cause damage by spinning silk to roll or web leaves together, creating a protected feeding environment. They consume leaf tissue, buds, and sometimes young fruit, which hinders the photosynthetic capacity of the tree and can lead to growth stunting if infestation densities are high.

Management and control measures. Effective control requires an integrated approach.

• Sanitation, including the removal of infested leaves and winter debris.
• Use of selective insecticides during the green tip or post-bloom stages.
• Installation of pheromone traps to monitor adult flight and time spray applications accurately.
• Encouragement of natural enemies and predatory insects in the orchard ecosystem.