Integrated Pest Management Guide

OCHROPLEURA IMPLECTA Lafontaine

Pest Status: This pest caused economic damage on dry-pick farms in Richmond in 1997 and 1998.

Life cycle and feeding habits: Moths fly, mate, and lay eggs from mid-May until late June, and again from late July until late August. Eggs hatch in about 10 days. Young larvae are dark chocolate-brown with a white lateral stripe and mature larvae are paler brown with a beige lateral stripe. Mature larva are 2.5 cm (1 inch) long. Larvae have three pairs of front legs and five pairs of hind legs. Larvae feed at night and are particularly fond of berries. They partially consume unripe and ripe berries in July and August.

Monitoring: Sweep at night for larvae in early June. Moths are attracted to pheromone traps for blackheaded fireworm and to light traps.

Control: If many larvae are detected, a registered insecticide for climbing cutworms is recommended. Consider spot-spraying if the infested area can be defined. Damage will be minimized if larvae are detected soon after hatching and if insecticide is applied in the evening. Insecticides are most effective when larvae are small.
 

Ochropleura implecta larva	Ochropleura implecta moth

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