Apple codling moth: spring pest control measures

Garden and vegetable garden pests cause great damage to plants, as a result of which crop yields suffer. The codling moth can cause significant damage to apple orchards. It is not the adults that spoil the trees, but their larvae, which look like caterpillars. During a season, the pest is capable of reproducing several generations. That is why it is better to start fighting the codling moth in the spring.

What harm does the codling moth cause?

The pest is widespread in Russia. Codling moth larvae feed exclusively on apple fruits. If the pest is not controlled, it can destroy up to 90% of the crop. The majority of adult years occur during the period of ovary formation.

The butterflies mate in the evening hours, after which the female lays eggs. The development of the embryo in the first cycle lasts 10–12 days. The second and third generations develop 2–3 times faster. The first caterpillars appear 2 weeks after the end of flowering of the apple tree. First, the pest covers the ovaries with a barely noticeable cobweb, after which it penetrates into the pulp of the fruit.

While inside the apple, the larva moults three times, simultaneously destroying the pulp. After this, the caterpillar moves to another fruit. As a result of the damage, the affected apple rots and falls off. One caterpillar can destroy up to 3 fruits per season. The parasite overwinters in the top layer of soil or in cracks in the bark. In the spring, the larva pupates and after 2–3 weeks turns into a butterfly.

Pest control methods in spring

As soon as the air temperature reaches +10 °C, the codling moth larvae become active. If at least one pest is noticed on the apple tree, it is necessary to urgently begin the fight for the future harvest.

Barrier method

The hatched larvae move into the crown from the top layer of soil along the trunk. To protect the tree in this case, you can use a barrier method using glue traps. The lower part of the trunk is wrapped with adhesive paper tape or tied with a cloth onto which a special composition is applied:

• 450 g wax;
• 350 g rosin;
• 1 liter of vegetable oil.

The solid components are melted in a water bath, then thoroughly mixed with oil. The sticky mixture is applied with a brush to the fabric binding. The width of such a trap should be 20–25 cm. The adhesive layer is renewed once a week.

Pheromone traps

The principle of operation of such a trap is based on the use of sex hormones secreted by the female. This control method is used at the beginning of butterfly flight, when the average night air temperature rises to +15 °C. The use of this method turns out to be effective with a small number of pests in the garden.

Males attracted by the smell of pheromones find themselves trapped. As a result, some females remain without fertilization and, therefore, cannot produce offspring. Periodically, the bait is cleaned of adhering insects. From time to time the adhesive liner is replaced with a new one. Pheromones act continuously for 50 days.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies will help repel pests from trees. In particular, decoctions are used for this purpose (the amount of raw materials per 10 liters of water is indicated):

• wormwood – 100 g of dry herb;
• tansy – 80 g of dried inflorescences;
• burdock - roots and leaves of one plant;
• hot pepper – 0.5 kg of pods.

You can also use an infusion of tobacco dust or pine needles (300 g per 10 liters of water). To increase efficiency, add 50–60 ml of liquid soap per 10 liters of liquid. Using a sprayer, the composition is applied to the crown and trunk of the apple tree. After 10–12 days, the treatment is repeated.

Biological drugs

Biological preparations do not harm the environment and humans, and do not accumulate in fruits. At the same time, the products effectively combat the codling moth. For pests in the garden they use:

• "Fitoverm";
• "Lepidocide";
• "Bitoxibacillin."

"Fitoverm" affects the pest during the flowering period of the apple tree. The remaining drugs are used throughout the growing season with a break of 1.5-2 weeks. Before use, you must read the instructions.

Chemical insecticides

Chemicals are used in case of mass infestation of apple trees with the codling moth. Pheromone traps will help determine the feasibility of using chemicals. If more than 5 butterflies get into each of them per day, then it’s time to start serious processing. The following insecticides are effective against codling moth:

• "Fufanon";
• "Ditox";
• "Iskra-M";
• "Binomial";
• "Alatar";
• "Zolon";
• "Kinmiks";
• "Atom".

The first time spraying is carried out during the flowering period of the apple tree. After 2 weeks, the treatment is repeated. In the future, if necessary, spraying is also carried out at intervals of 14 days.

In order to rid the garden of pests or reduce their number to a minimum, it is important to carry out preventive measures.It is necessary to keep the area of ​​the plot clean, promptly removing all organic waste. In the fall, be sure to dig up the soil in the trunk circle deeply. If there is a suspicion of the presence of a pest or its traces are found, all apple trees on the site are treated.