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The redbud leaffolder, Fascista cercerisella (Chambers), is a common lepidopteran pest of redbud in the landscape throughout the south. The species ranges from Maryland to Florida, west to Texas and Kansas. Larvae (above) skeletonize leaves of redbud, Cercis canadensis, which is the only known host. Larvae damage redbud leaves during feeding and their leaf folding or tying (below) together is easy to spot on infested redbuds in the landscape. Often the majority of the leaves on the plant are damaged. There is little information available on the biology of the redbud leaffolder. It likely overwinters as a pupa on the ground in detritus and the adults (below) emerge in spring after redbud leaves have formed. Redbud leaffolders have been observed during the spring and summer months in north Florida suggesting that there is more than one generation.
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