Biology
The cherry bark tortrix (CBT) is a pest of most woody ornamental trees and shrubs in the family Rosaceae. CBT attacks Prunus (cherry, plum and peach), Malus (apple, crabapple), Pyrus (pear), Crataegus (hawthorn), Sorbus (mountain ash), Cydonia (quince), Pyracantha (firethorn) and Photinia. CBT has one generation per year and a prolonged flight period from April until September. All life stages occur within the host tree except for the eggs and adults. Eggs are laid singly on the bark surface. Hatching larvae penetrate the bark through openings (natural and mechanical wounds) and feed on the living tissue of the tree’s bark. Graft unions of ornamental trees are preferred sites for attack. Larvae do not penetrate the hard wood of the tree. During feeding, CBT larvae construct a frass tube consisting of fecal pellets and webbing. The frass tube is the location for pupation once CBT has completed the larval stage. Frass tubes are an excellent indication of CBT infestations and susceptible trees should be regularly monitored for frass tubes.
|
