GENERAL IDENTIFICATION

The Apple Maggot is a frequent pest in Eastern Canada, attacking apples, plums, cherries, pears, peaches and apricots.  The insect usually has one generation per year, but in some years on early maturing apple varieties there may be two generations.

The apple maggot overwinters as a pupa in the soil, which then develops into the adult fly as the soil temperature rises.  The adult emerges from the soil throughout the period from late June to mid-September.  The peak of emergence activity being in early August.

The adult is about the same size as a housefly and has characteristic red eyes and distinctive wing markings (see illustration).  The wing markings of the Cherry Fruit Flies are also similar, but the end of the Apple Maggot's wing usually has a clear unmarked zone.  Also visible are the 3 (male) or 4 (female) white bands on the abdomen.

Within a week or so after emergence, the apple maggot flies become sexually active.  After mating, the female deposits between 300-500 eggs singly under the skin of the fruit.  Within 3-7 days the larvae emerge from the eggs and burrow through the pulp of the fruit, leaving a winding brown trail through the flesh.

The period of larval development in the fruit usually lasts for 3-5 weeks, with the infested apples finally falling to the ground.  The larvae then leave the fallen fruit, and enter the soil to a depth of 2-5 cm where they pupate.  Some pupae may remain in the soil for up to 5 years before hatching into adult flies.

On completing this request form, you will receive a detailed monitoring guide providing you with information on trap placement, assessment of larval damage and how to record and act on the information that you get. This will take away much of the guesswork, help to prevent wasted treatment and keep you in control of the pest situation throughout the season.

PLEASE SEND ME A FREE MONITORING GUIDE.