Pest profile

Redbanded Leafroller

Argyrotaenia velutinana · Lepidoptera: Tortricidae[2]

Redbanded leafroller strongly prefers apples, and its last generation of the season does the most serious fruit damage.[1]

Redbanded leafroller moth, a small tan moth with reddish-brown bands across the forewings, at rest
Redbanded leafroller moth, a small tan moth with reddish-brown bands across the forewings, at rest. (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • The moth is brown, about the size of a codling moth, with broad reddish bands on each forewing.[1]
  • The slender green larva reaches about 2/3 inch.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Obliquebanded leafrollerA brown moth with three dark bands on each forewing; its small green larva has a black head.[1]
Fruittree leafrollerA slightly larger moth with thin light markings; its pale green larva has a black head and a black spot behind it.[1]

Where it lives

In Kentucky it is one of three leafrollers that commonly attack fruit trees and some landscape ornamentals.[1]

US map: public records from 36 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It overwinters as a pupa in ground debris; adults lay egg masses on the undersides of larger limbs in early spring.[1]

Eggs hatch about bloom, larvae fold or roll leaves with webbing, and there are two to four generations a year.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Larvae attach a leaf to the fruit surface and feed on the skin and flesh beneath it.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UK Extension mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Use pheromone traps from pink through September to time scouting, and act at about 4 larvae per 100 leaves or fruit clusters.[1]

Biological control

In backyard apples, Bacillus thuringiensis sprays work best while larvae are small, before they web leaves together.[1]

Common questions

What's rolling up the leaves on my apple tree?
Leafroller caterpillars, including redbanded leafroller, fold or roll leaves together with webbing.[1]
Why is there a leaf stuck to my apple with a scar under it?
Leafroller larvae fasten a leaf to the fruit and feed on the skin beneath.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Kentucky Entomology (ENTFACT), “Leafrollers (ENTFACT-216).” entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef216 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Argyrotaenia velutinana taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/208118 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.