Oriental fruit moth—Grapholita molesta
Oriental fruit moth larvae are white or pink with a brown head; they grow up to 0.63 inch long. They
do not produce webbing, distinguishing them from other caterpillars. Adults are small, grayish moths almost
0.5 inch long.
Identification of species | Life
cycle
Damage
Larvae bore into twigs and young shoots and into the center of green and ripening fruit or nuts to feed
around the pit. Shoots wilt and die back 1 to several inches from the tip, causing shoot strikes or flagging.
Solutions
In backyards, oriental fruit moths are hard to control.
There are no effective biological control agents, and dormant
oil sprays do not work. Insecticides are very difficult to
time effectively because caterpillars rapidly bore into hidden
locations. Pheromone traps can help you determine when moths
are flying and laying eggs. No treatment is recommended for
almonds or apricots. |  Oriental
fruit moth larva
 Damage
to fruit
|
