Crops Affected: Apple, pear, macademia, walnut

States Affected: All states

Life Cycle: Codling moth larvae overwinter in protective cocoons under leaf litter or sheltered areas. Pupation occurs with rising temperatures, and emergence coincides with the first bloom. Adult moths lay eggs which incubate for 8-14 days on leaves near fruit or directly on the fruit, transitioning from translucent to reddish as they mature. Hatched larvae burrow into the fruit's surface, feeding just below before tunneling into the core. Feeding lasts 3-4 weeks before they exit to pupate. There are typically two or three generations per year.

Damage: Codling moths are responsible for the presence of "worms" in apples. Detecting a Codling moth infestation can be done by observing two indicators: firstly, the existence of a tunnel that stretches from the apple's exterior to its core, and secondly, tiny pinprick-sized "stings" accompanied by slight tissue damage on the cavity walls. If left unchecked, these moths can wreak havoc on apple orchards, leading to potential destruction of up to 95% of the apple crops.

Season to Trap: Bloom to harvest (approximately March to September, depending on region and cultivar)

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.

Confusion Lures: For commercial use only, do not use in orchards smaller than 5 acres. Mating disruption is only effective in commercial scale production. Use 2 to 6 confusion lures per acre.

Additional IPM Solutions: Avoid practices that destroy or disrupt native beneficial insects. Biological pesticides such as B.t., spinosad, and Cydia pomonella granulovirus may be applied to target young larvae before they enter the fruit. Barrier mesh bags applied to each fruit will prevent larvae from accessing the fruit. Remove fallen apples and implement orchard sanitation in the fall to disrupt overwintering.