Q. We have six apple and two pear trees in Ely, Nevada.
This year all the fruit had worms in them. The damage started when the apples were
only about 1 inch in diameter. Every single fruit had worms in them. I am
suspecting a moth but I’m not sure. We sprayed with Neem Oil before they
blossomed and after the fruit set. Any ideas?
This year all the fruit had worms in them. The damage started when the apples were
only about 1 inch in diameter. Every single fruit had worms in them. I am
suspecting a moth but I’m not sure. We sprayed with Neem Oil before they
blossomed and after the fruit set. Any ideas?
A. This “worm” is the juvenile or immature form of a moth
called the codling moth. They ruin the apples or pears by devouring the inside
of the fruit leaving their feces and allowing for the fruit to start rotting. Hence,
“wormy apples” which can look disgusting later. In commercial apple and pear
production, as many as eight “cover sprays” are applied to the trees every year
to prevent wormy apples.
called the codling moth. They ruin the apples or pears by devouring the inside
of the fruit leaving their feces and allowing for the fruit to start rotting. Hence,
“wormy apples” which can look disgusting later. In commercial apple and pear
production, as many as eight “cover sprays” are applied to the trees every year
to prevent wormy apples.
 |
| An early sign your apples may be wormy. The codling moth lays an egg on the outside of immature apple or pear fruit. The warm hatches and tunnels inside the apple. Conventionally, insecticides are sprayed on the trees and fruit to kill the warm before it enters the fruit. |
Codling
moth is the most destructive insect of apples and pears in the world. We see codling
moth damage to apples and pears in the Las Vegas area as well. But because we
are in the Mojave Desert, this pest is not as damaging as it could be. As more
homeowners plant more fruit trees however, we will see more of this pest
creating damage to these fruits in the future.
 |
| This is a winged sticky trap with a reddish brown rubber lure that was impregnated with a pheromone. This sex hormone is released into the air and one gender of the past is lured to the trap where it is stuck. When the sticky bottom of the trap is full or no longer sticky, it is replaced. In a dusty environment this can be weekly. The lure weakens over time and is replaced to keep the scent at its maximum filling the air. |
As I
mentioned in passing, one method of control is using insecticides as a “cover spray”.
A cover spray is an insecticide sprayed over the entire tree, not just the
fruit. Sprays are applied often enough to create a poisonous barrier for the
female codling moth. Neem oil will not work in this way against this pest.
mentioned in passing, one method of control is using insecticides as a “cover spray”.
A cover spray is an insecticide sprayed over the entire tree, not just the
fruit. Sprays are applied often enough to create a poisonous barrier for the
female codling moth. Neem oil will not work in this way against this pest.
 |
| This is a Delta trap used mostly for monitoring when the moth is flying. It does a great job telling you when sprays are needed. I like the trap better when relying only on disrupting the mating of insects for control. |
If you choose
to use an insecticide, it must be something other than Neem oil and it must be
sprayed frequently over the entire tree. There are insecticides you can
purchase from the store but the secret is to apply it often beginning when the
fruit first begins to develop.
to use an insecticide, it must be something other than Neem oil and it must be
sprayed frequently over the entire tree. There are insecticides you can
purchase from the store but the secret is to apply it often beginning when the
fruit first begins to develop.
Another
option, pheromone traps, can either reduce the number of times the tree is
sprayed or even eliminate spraying altogether. Pheromone traps are cardboard
traps which contain a sex hormone released into the open air. This pheromone
prevents the male codling moth from finding a female and, instead, gets stuck
in a sticky mess inside the trap.
option, pheromone traps, can either reduce the number of times the tree is
sprayed or even eliminate spraying altogether. Pheromone traps are cardboard
traps which contain a sex hormone released into the open air. This pheromone
prevents the male codling moth from finding a female and, instead, gets stuck
in a sticky mess inside the trap.
Under
some circumstances, these pheromone traps may catch enough males to prevent
female moths from laying their eggs. This interruption in mating can prevent
wormy apples from occurring.
some circumstances, these pheromone traps may catch enough males to prevent
female moths from laying their eggs. This interruption in mating can prevent
wormy apples from occurring.