Crops Affected: peach, apricot, nectarine, almond, apple, quince, pear, plums, and cherries

States Affected: All states

Life Cycle: This moth species overwinters as pupae in soil or in crevices under bark. The first adults appear in spring at bloom. Females lay their eggs on leaves or new shoots. The larvae tunnel into the shoots, where they will spend most of this stage of life. The mature larvae exit the shoots and drop to the ground or trunk to pupate. Later generations tunnel into fruit as the shoots become too tough, either by directly entering the fruit or by first tunneling into the stem. There are up to six generations per year.

Damage: Spring-hatched larvae bore into the tips of terminal shoots and tunnel downward. The tips of infested shoots wilt and die, called "flagging." A single larva may destroy two to five shoots before pupating. Midsummer larvae enter fruit, and may tunnel to the pit or feed near the surface. Frass may be visible, but larvae that tunnel into ripe fruit may not leave any external signs of infestation.

Season to Trap: April to October

How To Use: Hang trap with lure inside at shoulder height near at risk or affected crops. Replace lures every 30 days through the season, and replace traps when 70% saturated. Adult males are attracted to the pheromones in the lure and the color of the traps in this kit. Once they land on the sticky trap, they become ensnared, never to mate or lay eggs again.

Additional IPM Solutions: Avoid practices that destroy or disrupt native beneficial insects. Sprays such as B.t. may be timed with egg laying and hatch, as larvae are protected from pesticides once they enter the shoots or fruit. Infested fruit and terminals should be removed and destroyed (do not compost).