GENERAL IDENTIFICATION

These destructive insects cause major damage in apple and pear orchards throughout the world by eating right into the fruits and spoiling them. Over-wintering as fully grown larvae either on the bark of the trees or on the ground near them, the larvae pupate in the early spring and emerge in early May as adult moths from the pupal sacs.

The adult moths are a grayish colour with shiny brown patches on the back part or tips of the front wings, giving them excellent camouflage against the bark of the trees. Once the dusk temperatures rise to 15 degrees C, they become sexually active and females will start laying their eggs. Most of the eggs are laid on the leaves or fruit spurs 2 - 6 weeks after blooming has occurred and will hatch 1 – 2 weeks later. Some feeding will occur on the leaves, before the larvae chew their way into the young fruits.

After 3 weeks of feeding and development, the larvae leave the fruits and make their way to the trunk of the tree or the ground, where they will pupate and complete the life cycle to form a new generation of adult moths. Two or more generations are common.

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.