APPLE-AND-THORN SKELETONIZER

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Title: APPLE-AND-THORN SKELETONIZER
Description: LATIN NAME: Choreutis pariana (Clerck) LIFE CYCLE: Overwinter as moths in protected places. Eggs are laid on leaves in spring and mid-summer. Larvae are present in June and again in August. Pupae are covered by white, narrow silken cocoon attached to curled leaf, in bark crevices and in other concealed sites on or below host trees. MONITORING: Inspect leaves for signs of larval feeding - browning of upper leaf surface, fine silk threads over upper surface causing upward folding of leaves. HOSTS: Apple, crabapple, mountain ash, birch, hawthorn, cherry. COMMENTS: Damage can be confused with that of leafrollers; however, skeletonizer larvae do not roll leaves as tightly as leafrollers. Injury starts on lower branches and moves upwards if left uncontrolled. Host trees will appear prematurely brown in August. BODY LENGTH: Adult - 12.0 mm; Mature larva- 11.0 mm.