Codling Moth

This year in my county we will have at two generations of codling moth to deal with. The codling moth lays its eggs on the fruit.  When the larvae emerge, they burrow into the fuit to eat the seeds.  Larvae exit the fruit and pupate in cocoons in the bark of the trunk.

I have made the decision to only use organic sprays and have had very good results.  Our first generation is timed at around May 18th.

The following information is provided by USU Pest Advisory.  I have include the link at the end of the post.

There are two options provided for your first application. “Option A” is standard procedure, where you apply the insecticide you choose at the date provided. May 18th  you apply your first spray and depending on which spray you use reapply at the appropriate time. May 29th marks the period of greatest egg hatch for the first generation.  The date of the second generation egg hatch has not yet been determined.

Option A

May 18th first spray

May 29th period of greatest egg hatch

“Option B” uses horticultural oil (at 1% concentration in water) as the first application on May 16th, followed by an insecticide application about 2 weeks later. This option saves one general insecticide spray because the oil kills (smothers) all codling moth eggs laid up to that point, and ideally before any of them have hatched.

For either option, it is recommended to repeat the application to protect fruit at least through the “period of greatest egg hatch” 

ORGANIC
azadirachtin (Safer BioNeem)	Fair to Good	7-10
codling moth virus (Cyd-X)	Good (if populations are low)	7	works best when used at beginning of generation
kaolin clay (Surround)	Fair	7	produces a protective barrier
oil (All Seasons Oil, EcoSmart, Neem)	Fair	3	recommended for first application of the generation only
pyrethrin (Ortho Fruit Spray; Fertilome Fruit Tree Spray; Safer End All)	Good	3-5
spinosad (Monterey / Fertilome Spinosad)	Good	7-10	max 6 applications

For strategies on how often to spray for codling moth, it will depend on whether you are using organic or non-organic options, AND how heavily your apples or pears have been infested with codling moth in the past.

Organic production options (other than bagging)

• High fruit damage in past years:
  • Apply the first application for either Option A (insecticide) or Option B (oil).
  • For Option A, repeat twice, spaced 7-10 apart, for a total of 3 applications in the first generation.
  • For Option B, apply insecticide at the listed date and re-apply 7-10 days later.
  • When the “start date” for the 2nd generation is provided, spray every 7-10 days until Sept. 15.
  • Pick a different product to use for each generation.
• Low fruit damage in past years:
• Apply the first application for either Option A (insecticide) or Option B (oil).
• When the “start date” for the 2nd generation is provided, spray every 10-14 days until Sept. 15.
• Pick a different product to use for each generation.

I actually combine Neem, Spinosad, kaolin clay with kelp in my spray.  For a second spray you can use pyrethrin.  Be sure to follow instructions on label especially with pyrethrin so you do not kill bees and beneficials.  A no spray option is to bag you apples as you thin.  Here's to a healthy harvest.

Fruit Tree Pest Advisory