Variegated Golden Tortrix, Archips xylosteana

Archips xylosteanus, variegated golden tortrix is a serious insect of orchard, ornamental, and forest trees, especially fruit plants in the family Rosaceae, oak, maple, ash, elm, linden, and dogwood. The synonyms are Archips xylosteana Cacoecia xylosteana; Tortrix xylosteana. It is also known as Apple leaf roller, Brown oak tortrix moth, Brown oak tortrix.The variegated golden tortrix is widely distributed in Europe and Asia especially China, Korea and Japan.

Pheromone for Variegated Golden Tortrix, Archips xylosteana

Russell IPM manufactures and supplies pheromone lures, traps and complete monitoring systems for Archips xylosteanus, Variegated golden tortrix, winter moth. Pheromone trap data gives early warning of the infestation and also exhibits the density of the insect population.

Biology of Archips xylosteana

 According to Carter (1984), the eggs are present from July through April. The overwintering eggs are placed on trunks and branches in small batches covered with a brownish secretion (Alfaro 1950, Carter 1984, Dickler 1991). The larvae are present from April to June in "spun leaves" (Carter 1984). The pupae are present in June in the larval spinning. Flying at dusk, the adult is present in July (Carter 1984). According to (Dickler 1991), there is one generation per year. When the adults appear in July, eggs are laid in batches on the trunks or branches of various trees and shrubs. The larvae are 16 to 22 mm in length (Alford (1991),). The larvae are whitish-grey, sometimes grey, or dark bluish-grey, with black pinacula. Heads are shiny black.  Each larva attacks the foliage and inhabits a rolled leaf. Larvae will be fully grown by June (Alford 1991).The pupae are 9 to 12 mm in length, dark-brown or black in colour.According to Alford (1991), adult moths have a 15 to 23 mm wingspan. The forewings are whitish with reddish-brown, variegated markings; the hind wings are greyish.  According to Carter (1984), the wingspan is 20 mm. The forewings are light purplish-brown with dark chocolate-brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish-brown bands and markings. The forewings are edged with white. The hind wings are grey with a metallic cupreous sheen towards the apex. The head and thorax are light purplish-brown; the abdomen is grey. The antennae are simple and filiform (Carter, 1984).

Nature of Damage

Larval habitations may disfigure host plants and cause concern but feeding is confined mainly to fully expanded leaves and is, therefore, of little or no significance (Alford, 1995). In Japan, this species is more a pest of chestnut than it is of apple.

Pheromone application guidelines

The following notes are guidelines of general nature and meant to give the user a head start in implementing pheromone monitoring programme. Local conditions and practices can very and can lead to customisation of the programme. 

Trap selection

The Deltra trap  is most sensitive trap to use for monitoring this insect. However, Moth catcher  may be used in dusty condition or in high moth population density. Do not re-use the trap to monitor different insects as this may lead to mixed catches.

Trap density

Two traps per hectare (2trap/ha) for small holdings and in field of uneven topography. One trap for every two hectares of large scale fields of homogenous lands.

Trap position

Near the highest point of the plant using supporting posts approximately 1 meter high or higher if the crop is higher.

Trap data and interpretation

Collect date weekly from the start of the flight of the over wintering generation.. During the height of the population more frequent reading may be needed. Decisions on pesticide application should not be taken solely on the trap catch data. Climatic and biological considerations should be taken in account. 

Lures

Lures can be changed every 4-6 weeks to get the most accurate results.

Lures handling 

Pheromone lures are very sensitive tool. They can be affected by exposure to elevated heat and direct sunshine. Direct touching by hand may cause cross contamination leading to mixed catches in the trap. Some contaminants such as Nicotine may have repellent effect reducing trap catch.

Lure Storage

Cool dry place. Shelf life can very from 3-36 months depending on the storage temperature.  See Technical Data Sheet for further details.