CODLING MOTH

Cydia pomonella

Everyone knows the old joke 'What is worse than finding a worm in your apple?' Answer 'Half a worm' which refers to the larva of the Codling moth, which originated in Europe but is now found in most countries that grow apples. It is found in all states of Australia except WA. It also attacks pears, quinces and occasionally walnuts and stone fruits. The greyish-brown moth has a 20 mm wingspan with metallic copper-coloured patch near each wingtip. Eggs are laid at dusk on or near small fruit when the temperature is 15°C or higher. They hatch in one to two weeks. The caterpillar chews its way into the fruit core, where it feeds. Damaged fruit often drops prematurely. Once the larvae is fully fed it leaves the fruit and moves down the trunk and branches searching for a suitable place to pupate. This might be under loose bark or in a crevice.

Suggested Organic Strategies:

• Inspect the fruit every 10 days and remove and destroy infested fruit. Do not bury or place the fruit in compost heaps. It must be burnt or fed to animals, try cooking it in a sealed black plastic bag in the sun. If possible have poultry or other animals free-ranging under the trees to eat any fallen fruit.

• Remove any  pieces of flaking bark, broken branches and litter from the crotch of the tree, to reduce hiding places for cocoons.

• Remove ladders, old boxes and tree props from the orchard, first checking them for cocoons.

• The most important natural enemy of the codling moth is the Trichogramma wasp, which parasitises the moth eggs. As an adult this micro-wasp feeds on insect eggs, nectar, pollen and honeydew. It lives several times longer and destroys many more pests when supplied with nectar. Properly managed cover crops are the key to maintaining high levels of predatory insects.

• A horticultural glue around the trunk of the tree will prevent the movement of some of the female moths from the ground into the tree, as they tend to crawl and flutter up the branches. It should be in place from the first moth sighting until mid-winter. Using the glue below the corrugated cardboard bands will also help to force the larvae looking for a pupation site into the cardboard bands, as it will make it more difficult for them to reach the ground.

More information on organic codling moth control…..

Suggested Products:

Codling Moth Trap

Dipel®

Horticultural glue

Pest Oil

Exclusion Bags

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