Sparganothis fruitworm

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Sparganothis Fruitworm ("Spag")
Order: Lepidoptera || Family: Tortricidae;
Sparganothis sulfureana (Clemens)

This pest, commonly referred to as "spag," goes through 2 generations per season. The second batch of eggs hatch in the fall and those larvae overwinter in the trash layer or within webbed uprights. The larvae become active once it warms up in the spring. By the middle of June, the spring larvae pupate within webbed uprights and then the moths emerge and mate in late June and early July. The 1st-generation of eggs are deposited in masses on the foliage or even on developing fruit (if present) about 10 to 14 days later. The active larval period lasts from 30 to 40 days and the pupal period from 7 to 12 days.

(Sparganothis male moth; Note the 'X' pattern on the wings)

The Spag Dance! When disturbed, or agitated, Sparganothis larvae have a VERY fast dance (or wiggle) that they use to escape from potential predators or even to startle a potential predator--either result is good for the larva. They often dart straight backwards in the process.

Spag larvae will typically feed for short durations on the outside of the berries (see images below), as opposed to cranberry fruitworm larvae which feed inside the berries. Very small spag larvae, however, have been known to feed on the insides of berries very much like cranberry fruitworm larvae, so proper identification of small larvae is very important.

Damage from Spag fruitworm larvae - note that the feeding damage is on the outside of the fruit
and resembles craters of varying sizes and depths.

If you have comments or questions about this page,
contact Charles Armstrong at: charlesa@umext.maine.edu

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These pages are currently being maintained by the Pest Management Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Page Last Modified: 05/15/08