Pest identification
and confirmation—Peach twig borer
Damage to twigs by peach twig borer (PTB) is similar to that caused by oriental fruit moth (OFM);
young shoots wilt and die back 1 to several inches from the tip. Search for caterpillars to distinguish
damage from the two pests. On green and ripe fruit, oriental fruit moth bore right into the center
to feed around the pit, a habit that distinguishes them from the more superficially feeding peach
twig borers.
Examine caterpillars to identify the source of damage on peaches, nectarines, and almonds. A hand
lens will reveal the presence of an anal comb of stiff bristles under the last abdominal sclerite
(the rear end of the caterpillar) on mature oriental fruit moth larvae. This comb is not found
on other white or pink worms, such as peach twig borer, that may occur in stone fruits. |
Anal comb helps distinguish OFM from PTB |
OFM larva |
PTB larva |
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