PEST

NAME
Oriental Fruit Moth
Grapholita molesta

ORDER
Lepidoptera

FAMILY
Tortricidae

Description of the Pest
The adult is a tiny grey moth with brown and white bars on 12mm wings. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves and on stems near new shoots. Mature larvae are up to 12mm long, pinkish-white in colour, with a brown head. Larvae have a hard, toothed plate on the final body segment. They pupate in 15mm long cocoons, close to where they feed, except for the last generation in the season, which pupate close to the base of the plant. Larvae have chewing mouth parts.

     

Appearance and Distribution of the Pest
An introduced pest that is common along the east coast of Australia.

Life Cycle
This insect has a Holometabolouslife cycle, ie. When metamorphosisis observed during the pupalstage.

Period of Activity
Moths are seldom seen during the day, but are very active in the early evening during the warmer months, from Spring to late Autumn. The life cycle takes 35 days in warm weather; five to six generations may appear annually.

Damage Caused
Caterpillars burrow up to 100mm into new shoots at the tips, often entering through the petiole, causing the shoots to wilt and die back. Gumming occurs where the larvae emerge from the shoots; where wilting shoots come into contact with fruit, the fruit may also be attacked, as evidenced by the presence of brown rot.

Susceptible Plants
Many agricultural plants such as Stonefruit, apples, pears and quinces are attacked.

Cultural Control
Remove and destroy infested tips and fruit. Because the last generation of the season pupates in cocoons near the base of the plant, and in leaf litter on the soil surface, pupae may be prevented from emerging as adults (ie the life cycle may be interrupted) by removing debris and wrapping the trunk in Hessian or soft cardboard.

BiologicalControl
Parasitic wasps may reduce numbers.

Chemical Control
Mating may be prevented by spraying orchards with pheromone Isomate M. Regular spraying with contact pesticides such as Carbaryl, or penetrant systemics such as Fenthion, is also effective, although such spraying will also destroy the natural predators of some other pests.
Note
Always read the label for registration details and direction of use prior to application of any chemicals.