Fruit Bites for May 25-27 Codling Moth

Fruit Bites for May 25-27 Codling Moth

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. Joining as always is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about codling moth!

 

AW: codling moth are fascinating insect pests but as a grower…not so much. Codling moth are just that, a moth. The adult females lay eggs on leaves and fruit of apples and pears. The eggs hatch, the tiny caterpillar crawls a short distance, takes a few bites, then is immediately inside the fruit. That’s why they are difficult to control…exposure time for larvae is short. The larvae burrow into the fruit and leave a mess of insect frass.

 

BL: Any control tips?

 

AW: use mating disruption to confuse the males so they can’t find the females to mate. Use ovicides, like Esteem and oil to control the eggs before they hatch. Use a Bt, virus or larvicides, to control the nibbling caterpillars. Remove wooden bins so pupae can’t settle. Have a full season program using all these tactics.

 

BL: Well, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.

 

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