Southeastern Apple Production
ENTOMOLOGY
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Southeastern Apple ProductionENTOMOLOGY |
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The lesser appleworm (LAW) adult is a brown-gray moth shaped similarly to Oriental fruit moth but smaller (about 0.3 inch long) and with more brown patches visible on the wings. Eggs are white oval disks about 0.02 inch in diameter, and larvae are about 1/2 inch long and pinkish white. Like Oriental fruit moth, LAW larvae have an anal comb structure visible under a microscope.
LAW larvae overwinter in cracks on tree trunks and debris. After pupating, adults emerge in late May or early June, laying single eggs on leaves or fruit. These eggs hatch, pupate, and appear as second-generation adults in July. These adults may fly as late as October before laying eggs that hatch into overwintering larvae.
LAW larvae attack fruit primarily on either the calyx or stem end. Feeding is not nearly as deep as Oriental fruit moth or codling moth, and instead consists of shallow "mines" just below the surface of the fruit
Historically, LAW has not been a major pest in our area, though adults are captured sporadically during the growing season. LAW pheromones attract large numbers of Oriental fruit moths, so observers should be careful to distinguish between the species when examining trap catches. A LAW trap will often catch far more Oriental fruit moths than LAW.
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
Email:
steve_schoof@ncsu.edu
Updated March 4, 2007