Identification

Larvae are white with a brown head. Adult moths have a black body with two or three bright yellow marks on its thorax and abdomen. Its wings are transparent.

Life Cycle

The strawberry crown moth overwinters as larvae in the crown of plants. In the spring, larvae emerge and feed for a few more weeks before pupating in the late spring. Adults emerge approximately 3 weeks later, mate, and then lay eggs on leaves or on the crown. Eggs hatch 2 weeks later and young larvae feed on roots and the crown until they overwinter and the cycle begins again.

Damage

Larvae feed on the crown and root tissue of plants. Plants wilt and become stunted. Foliage turns red. In strawberries, plants separate from the root at the crown line when pulled.

Solutions

Remove damaged plants or prune out infestations. Clean up any debris underneath plants. Insecticides are usually not effective.