The codling moth is a pest that causes considerable losses, especially in apple production but also in pear. Damage to the fruit is caused by the larval stage (caterpillar). Adult moths occur from mid-May until late-August and even mid-September if temperature remains high (night temperature above 15° C) (under northern Europe conditions).

The codling moth overwinters as a mature larva in a silken cocoon. Overwintered larvae pupate inside their cocoon the following spring (about when first blossoms show colour). Adult moths start emerging from the cocoon around petal fall. Female moths start laying eggs 3 to 6 days after emerging, if the temperature is at least 18° C. 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. After feeding inside the fruit for about 3 weeks, caterpillars leave the fruit and find a place for cocooning (fissures on trunk or branch, fence posts). Larvae either pupate and emerge (2 or 3 weeks after cocoon formation; 2nd generation) or remain in their cocoon until next spring (overwintering, no pupation).

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 down to the core. This tunnel can contain the brown, granulated excrements of the caterpillar. Damaged fruit ripens earlier than healthy fruit and falls prematurely, which causes yield loss.

Granupom is a selective, biological virus preparation based on the granulose virus Cydia pomonella. Codling moth caterpillars ingest the virus when eating treated parts of a plant. In the digestive system of an infected caterpillar, the virus multiplies extremely fast and causes injuries; the caterpillar becomes sick within a few days and dies. Caterpillars killed by the virus decompose completely.

Granupom is very specific; only the codling moth is affected. Granupom has no harmful secondary effect and does not leave any harmful residue; thus, it can be used just before fruit harvest. The safety delay is one day.

Because codling moth is already controlled separately from other pests and the effectiveness of chemical means against the codling moth has strongly decreased in recent years, Granupom can completely replace the current chemical control of the codling moth.

To be effective, Granupom must be ingested by the larva (caterpillar). It must be sprayed before caterpillars penetrate the fruit where Granupom cannot reach them. Therefore, for optimal control of the codling moth, it is preferable to start spraying Granupom at the beginning of the egg laying season and to repeat treatments throughout the egg hatching period to ensure that all caterpillars (from first to last emerged) are exposed to Granupom. Depending on climatic conditions, the egg hatching period usually starts in June. The egg laying and hatching periods can be precisely determined by information services, which can notify growers on the arrival of the codling moth. Since adult moths start laying eggs soon after emergence, it is also possible to determine when to start Granupom treatments by monitoring the presence of adult moths with pheromone traps. If a second generation of codling moth occurs later during the summer (late-August to early-September), then it is necessary to repeat the treatments.

Start with a dose of 300 ml/ha of orchard (300 ml for 1000 L water); choose a quantity of water for optimal cover of the crop. Repeat every 10 to 14 days. Usually, 4 applications will be sufficient. It is necessary to repeat treatments more often (every 7 days) during hot and sunny periods because ultraviolet radiation inactivate the granulose virus. Under rainy conditions, one application of Granupom every two weeks is sufficient.

Shake well before the use. Preferably mix in fresh water (pH of 6,5-7,5).
Granupom can be mixed with all fungicides, insecticides and foliar fertilizers as long as the pH of spray solution is between 6,5 and 7,5.

Optimal storage temperature for Granupom is 5°C. Avoid temperatures below 2°C or above 30°C.

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