Leaf Folding on Weeping Cherry: Caterpillars, Not Mites

A 2–3-year-old weeping cherry has pairs of leaves folded together, one leaf curled and rotting. Tiny white “mites” were seen, but true mites are nearly invisible without magnification. The folded leaves point to leaf-rolling caterpillars (leaf folders) or tent caterpillars.

Organic and Conventional Controls

• Hand-pick or squash caterpillars inside folded leaves.
• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products like Thuricide or Dipel target only caterpillars. Apply with good coverage; reapply after rain.
• Carbaryl (Sevin) is a broader-spectrum option available at garden centers.

Accurate identification ensures the right treatment. The “mites” are likely incidental or misidentified.