Oriental Fruit Moth
Image credit: Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org
Image credit: Eric LaGasa, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta)
Identification
- The moth (adult) form will rarely be seen because of their small size, indistinct brown color, and nocturnal flight habits. Larvae feed on new growth causing flagging.
Reasons for Control
- These two insects are wide spread pests of stone fruits in the UGVPCD. Their life histories are very similar.
- Later in the season they will feed on the surface of fruits making them marketable.
Control Notes
- Backyard fruit tree growers can use post bloom sprays. Several organic and/or traditional insecticides can be effective at controlling either species.
- Commercial growers can use pheromone-based mating disruption for peach twig borer. This non-pesticide control will not work if infestation comes from outside the target orchard.