Codling Moth & Oriental Fruit Moth Trap

The Codling Moth & Oriental Fruit Moth Trap is a powerful, non-toxic attractant that contains a dual pheromone to lure moths to a sticky surface where they cannot escape.

What Will Codling Moth & Oriental Fruit Moth Trap Attract?

It helps protects your fruit trees by luring adult moths before they have a chance to produce fruit destroying larvae. Codling moth larvae bore into fruit and cause the typical ‘wormy’ apple. Oriental Fruit Moth larvae attack both fruit and young shoots and twigs. The trees that can be affected are Apple, Apricot, Almond, Plum, Cherry, Peach, Pear, Quince, and English Walnut Trees.

Application: Hang 1-2 traps in a fruit tree at the start of bloom. Lure lasts for approximately 8 weeks. Use these effective traps as a part of your (IPM) Integrated Pest Management.

The Codling Moth

The Codling Moth, also known by its scientific name Cydia pomonella, is a common pest of apples, pears, and other fruit trees. This moth is native to Europe but has since been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America, where it has become a major agricultural pest.

The adult Codling Moth is a small, grayish-brown moth with a wingspan of about 1 inch. It is often mistaken for other small moths, but can be identified by a distinctive copper-colored patch at the base of its wings. The moth emerges in the spring and begins to mate and lay eggs on the fruit trees.

The larvae of the Codling Moth are the real problem for agriculture. These small, white caterpillars feed on the fruit of the tree, causing extensive damage. They bore into the fruit and feed on the seeds and flesh, creating a tunnel that makes the fruit unsellable. In addition, the tunnels can provide entry points for bacteria and fungi, leading to rot and decay of the fruit.

The Codling Moth has a life cycle that is closely tied to the fruit tree. The moth lays eggs on the fruit in the spring, and the larvae hatch and begin to feed on the fruit. After a few weeks, the larvae drop to the ground and pupate in the soil. They emerge as adult moths in the late summer or early fall, ready to mate and lay eggs for the next generation.

To control the Codling Moth, farmers often use a combination of cultural and chemical methods. Cultural methods include sanitation practices, such as removing fallen fruit from the ground and pruning the tree to increase air flow and sunlight. These methods can help reduce the number of eggs and larvae on the tree. Chemical methods include the use of insecticides, which can be applied directly to the tree or sprayed in the air to target the adult moths. However, insecticide use can have negative effects on the environment and can also lead to the development of insecticide-resistant populations of the moth.

The Codling Moth is a serious threat to agriculture, particularly in regions where fruit trees are a major crop. The damage caused by this pest can lead to significant economic losses for farmers and can also affect the availability and quality of fruit for consumers. It is important for farmers and researchers to continue to develop and implement effective methods of controlling the Codling Moth to protect crops and ensure a healthy food supply.

The Oriental Fruit Moth

The Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM) is a species of moth that is known to cause significant damage to a variety of fruit crops, particularly stone fruits such as peaches, plums, and nectarines. The OFM is native to Asia, but it has spread to many other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and South America.

The life cycle of the OFM is relatively short, with multiple generations occurring each year. The adult moths emerge from their cocoons in the spring, usually in April or May. After mating, the female moths lay eggs on the buds and twigs of fruit trees. The eggs hatch into small, pinkish larvae that feed on the fruit and bore into the fruit or shoots. The larvae then pupate inside the fruit or twigs and emerge as adult moths after about two to three weeks.

The damage caused by OFM larvae can be significant, especially on young fruit trees. The larvae can bore into the fruit, causing it to rot or fall from the tree. The damage can also make the fruit more susceptible to other pests and diseases. In addition, the feeding activity of the larvae can cause premature leaf drop, which can reduce the overall health and productivity of the tree.

To control OFM infestations, farmers and orchardists typically use a combination of cultural and chemical control methods. Cultural methods include practices such as pruning, sanitation, and the use of pheromone traps to monitor populations. By removing infected plant parts, orchardists can minimize the population of the OFM. Sanitation also means removing the fruits from the ground which can help to eliminate the overwintering sites for the pest. Pheromone traps, on the other hand, help farmers to monitor the pest population by capturing the adult moths before they can mate and lay eggs.

Chemical methods involve the use of insecticides to kill the moths and larvae, although there is concern about the potential negative effects of these chemicals on the environment and non-target organisms. Insecticides that target the OFM are effective when applied at the correct time and rate. However, overuse of insecticides can lead to pest resistance and also contaminate the environment. Therefore, the decision to use insecticides should be made in consultation with a pest control expert, considering the potential risks of the pest and the methods that can be used to control it.

In addition to cultural and chemical control methods, researchers are exploring biological control methods such as the use of predators, parasitoids, and microbial pathogens that can control the population of the OFM in an environmentally friendly way. Some predators such as the green lacewing larvae and the minute pirate bug have been found to be effective in controlling the pest.