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Southeastern Apple ProductionENTOMOLOGY |
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Green Fruitworm
(Variety of species)
****UPDATE: May 2011
Description
Green fruit worm (GFW) larvae are pale green and usually marked with white or yellow bands along the back and sides of the body. Fully grown they are about 1 1/2 inches long. Adults are brown or gray moths with wingspans between 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 inches.
 Larva |
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 Adult |
Life History
All GFW associated with apples behave similarly. After overwintering as pupae or adults, moths lay eggs that hatch as fruit buds are turning green. Larvae feed on the new buds, foliage, and fruit, then mature, move to the ground, and pupate in May or early June. In the fall, most species emerge from their pupal cases and overwinter in protected sites. There is probably one generation per year.
Damage
GFW is a sporadic pest but can be damaging. Larvae may destroy entire clusters of fruit buds. Older larvae feed on new foliage and chew holes in the sides of young fruit. By harvest apples will appear misshapen around the sunken, corky feeding sites.
 Sunken feeding site on mature fruit |
Monitoring and Control
GFW damage tends to be controlled by insecticides applied for other pests at pink and petal fall. However, to check for damage, examine the fruit bud clusters on at least 10 trees per orchard for live larvae. An inseciticide may be needed if there are more than 2 larvae per tree.
Insect and Mite Management Overview
Insect and Mite Index
Southeastern Apple Production Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center 455 Research Drive Mills River, NC 28759 Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715 Email: jim_walgenbach@ncsu.edu |
Web Crafters: Anne S. Napier and
Steve Schoof |
Updated February 27, 2007