Coddling moth - Biobest Biological Systems

Pests

Coddling moth

The coddling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a common pest. It is a pest that causes considerable economic loss, especially in apple and pear production. Damage to fruit is caused by the larval stage (caterpillar) of the moth.

Biology

Adult moths occur from mid-May until late-August and even mid-September if temperature remains high (night temperature above 15° C).

If the temperature is at least 18°C, female moths start laying eggs 3 to 6 days after emerging from cocoons. After 5 to 20 days, depending on climatic conditions, a caterpillar hatches from its egg and moves from the leaf to penetrate a fruit. One caterpillar can damage several fruits.
By the end of August, after feeding inside the fruit for about 3 weeks, caterpillars leave the fruit and find a place for hibernating (fissures on the trunk and branches, rocks and fence posts). Next May the larvae pupate and a new generation starts.

Damage

Damaged fruit is recognizable by the brown-rimmed holes in the skin. Underneath these holes, the caterpillar has tunneled its way through the fruit flesh to the core. This tunnel may contain the brown, granulated excrement of the caterpillar. Damaged fruit ripens earlier than healthy fruit and falls prematurely, which causes yield loss.

Biological control

Granupom

The efficacy of chemical products against the coddling moth has strongly decreased in the last few years. To be able to control the coddling moth in an efficient way, we offer Granupom; a selective biological insecticide based on the Cydia pomonella granulose virus.