At a Glance
- Summer generation OBLR feeds on leaves and developing fruit.
- Damage appears as pin‑prick holes or surface feeding on fruit.
- Larvae create webbing between leaves and fruitlets.
- Populations occur during mid to late summer.
- Damage can reduce fruit quality and marketability.
- The BC DAS system supports timing of management actions.
Why Is Summer Generation OBLR a Problem?
Leafrollers are common pests in tree fruit orchards, damaging leaves and green tissue through their characteristic leaf‑rolling behaviour. Larvae also feed directly on fruit during the summer. Summer feeding damage typically appears as small pin‑prick holes, while earlier feeding can cause larger distortions that affect fruit shape. Both types of damage reduce fruit quality and can make fruit unmarketable, affecting returns from the packinghouse.
Where Do Leafrollers Come From?
Leafroller larvae overwinter on trees and become active at bud break. They can be detected by scouting for egg masses, feeding damage, and larvae on developing shoots and leaves. OBLR larvae are identifiable by a light band across a black head capsule and a pale yellow‑green body. Mature larvae develop into greyish moths. OBLR typically has two generations per year. The second generation occurs in July and August and is responsible for summer fruit damage.
How the BC DAS System Helps
The BC DAS system helps growers track larval development stages based on local orchard conditions. Using degree‑day accumulation and weather data, the system provides information on instar development, temperature trends, and upcoming risk periods. Alerts are generated when populations are most susceptible, helping growers apply control measures at the optimal time. The system also includes information on natural enemies to support beneficial insect conservation.
Control options are integrated into the OBLR model within BC DAS. The DAS Spray Guide provides spray options, rates, and timing to support effective management. Growers can plan sprays for multiple pests and select products registered for conventional or organic use. Following the BC DAS model ensures access to timely information for managing leafroller populations throughout the season.
For more information, please check out the BC Tree Fruit Production Guide.
Learn More (Video)
Interested in finding out more? Check out the BC DAS OBLR Summer Generation video to connect field observations with the online DAS system.