Oriental Fruit Moth Control

Description

• Oriental fruit moth eggs are 0.5 to 0.7 mm in diameter and white; they are found on leaf or fruit surfaces. The emerging 1.4-mm-long white larvae have black heads. Mature larvae are 10 to 11 mm long and pink with brown heads. The 6 to 7 mm long brown pupa turns dark gray to black before the emergence of the adult, gray-brown moths. The undersides of moth wings are silvery with wavy lines on top. The total body length is 4 to 5 mm long.

Damage

• The larvae enter the twigs and leaves and eat the succulent plant tissues, leading to wilting leaves and dying twigs. The pests feed on the sides of the fruit and deform them. Severely damaged fruit drops from the tree. Fruit is frequently attacked when it is close to ripening. The insects enter the fruit from the stem end. In peaches and nectarine, the insects eat their way all the way to the pit. Once mature, the larvae exit by creating round holes in the fruit.

Biological Control

• The introduction of the braconid wasp (Macrocentrus ancylivorus) is a biological control strategy for the Oriental fruit moth. The insect is a native leaf roller parasite of North America and the females lay their eggs in the larvae of the pest.

Chemical Control

• Use pheromone traps in the orchard in February to capture adults. Recommended insecticides include methoxyfenozide, chlorantraniliprole or flubendianide. Monitor the presence of moths for late season emergence or the migration of the pests from other nearly fruit trees. In cases of heavy infestation, use insecticides again at the time of harvest.