Codling Moth
Introduction:
The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a member of the Lepidopteran family Tortricidae. They are known as an agricultural pest. It is native to Europe and was introduced to North America, where it has become one of the regular pests of apple orchards. It is found almost worldwide. It also attacks pears, walnuts, and other tree fruits.
The codling moth is bivoltine in most regions of the USA — in the Pacific Northwest there is a partial third generation.
The codling moth is greyish with light grey and copper stripes on its wings, and has an average wingspan of 17 mm. The females lay eggs on fruit or leaves in summer and the black-headed yellow larvae attack the fruit immediately upon hatching.…show more content… Its head is black and the body is creamy white. The full grown larva is 1/2 to 3/4 inch (12 to 20 mm) long, has a brown or black head capsule and thoracic shield. The body is usually creamy white but turns slightly pink when mature (Figure 23). Unlike other caterpillar larvae that feed inside the fruit, such as oriental fruit moth and lesser apple worm, the codling moth larva feeds in the center on flesh and seeds. The others feed on flesh away from the center.
Mature codling moth larva
3) Pupa: The codling moth pupa is brown and about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long. It lies inside a cocoon spun by the mature larva beneath bark scales on the tree or in a sheltered place at the base of the tree.
4) Adult: The adult codling moth is about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long. At first glance, it seems a nondescript dull gray, but closer inspection shows the wings are crossed with fine alternating gray and white bands. The wings are tipped by a patch of bronze-colored scales that reflect in sunlight (Figure 24). The moth holds its wings tent-like over its body when at