Description
Codling moths (Cydia pomonella) have been the principal pest of apples and pears in North America for over 200 years. The primary damage is due to larval feeding inside of fruit. The larvae bore deep into the fruit leaving frass, injury and inviting fruit rot. The adult moth is ½ inch long with gray striped wings that have copper/brown coloration at the tips. Larvae grow to about ¾ inches in length with bodies that are cream or pinkish colored with dark heads.
Target Crops
Primarily apple, but also pear, hawthorn and quince. In California codling moth have also attacked prune and walnut trees. Without control of codling moth, growers may face severe economic loss.
Life Cycle
Codling moth larvae overwinter in thick cocoons which they build under bark or at the base of the tree. In early spring they pupate and by April or May adult moths emerge. After mating the females lay single eggs on the surface of leaves and fruit. The larvae hatch after about a week and tunnel into the fruit where they continue to feed and grow for 3-4 weeks. When the larvae are mature, they exit the fruit and begin the cycle again. Codling moths have two to three generations per year
Beneficial Insect Control
- Steinernema carpocapsae—a beneficial nematode species, is active against the mature and overwintering larvae of codling moth. These parasites can be applied to the soil and sprayed on tree trunks in the fall. Also available as Nemasys-C.
- Trichogramma spp.—is a parasitic wasp that seeks out moth eggs. They generally lay 60-70 eggs over a period of 1-2 weeks, inhibiting maturation of the pest population.
Release Rates: 1-2 Trichogramma eggs/sq. ft. or 50,000–100,000/acre when adult moths are detected.
Insecticide Options
Codling moth has developed a resistance to several commonly used insecticides, so always rotate products over time. Insects cannot develop resistance to the oils that suffocate.
- Suffoil-X, Circadian Sunrise, Epishield Oils
- Entrust with spinosad
- Dipel with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
- Surround, with kaolin clay provides a protective coating on the surface of the fruit, preventing the larvae from entering. Reapplication is necessary after rain.
Cultural Control Tips
- Orchard sanitation. Remove and dispose of fallen apples and maintain proper bin management.
- Wrapping tree trunks with corrugated cardboard provides a likely place for the larvae to pupate. Following pupation, the cardboard can be removed and destroyed.
- Pheromone mating disruption has been shown to significantly reduce the number of insecticides required to control codling moth in apple orchards. The idea is to permeate the orchard with female sex pheromone which prevents the males from successfully locating the females.
- Pheromone traps can also be used to monitor adult activity.
- Remove and destroy any fruit with codling moth symptoms (wounds, frass, etc..)
- Bagging individual fruit during development prevents codling moth access. Very time intensive.
Resources
Codling Moth Wisconsin Horticulture
Codling Moth Colorado State University Extension
Codling Moth NC State Extension
