Pest Education: The Lifecycle of a Codling Moth

Codling Moths are issue for fruit growers in Michigan and throughout North America. Ridge Quest has developed an effective strategy to interrupt the mating of codling moths, known as The Tangler. First, we thought we’d introduce visitors to the lifecycle of this pest:

Mature codling moth larvae overwinter in silken cocoons in protected sites on the tree (under loose bark, in cracks and crevices), in the soil or in wooden materials under or beside infested trees (bins, ladders, poles, buildings, large prunings).

Larvae pupate in the spring and adults usually begin to emerge in early May and continue emerging until late June (mid-July in cooler areas), depending on temperature. Mating and egg-laying occur when twilight temperatures are above 59°F.

Females lay eggs on fruit or on leaves near fruit. Larvae usually wander over the fruit surface before cutting through the skin and boring deeply into the fruit. Mature larvae leave the fruit to pupate in protected sites on and off the tree as described above. Second generation moths appear in late July and August. Because weather during July and August is usually favorable for codling moth activity and reproduction, second-generation larvae can cause cons

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