Oriental Fruit Moth on Peach
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Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta) is a 1⁄4-inch, charcoal-colored moth. Fine alternating bands of light and dark lines give it a mottled appearance. Eggs are flat and oval, initially opaque and white in color but turn brownish-red as they mature. Larvae are pinkish-white with brown heads and are 1⁄2 inch long when full-grown. Oriental fruit moth (OFM) larvae and codling moth larvae are very similar, but OFM have a small four-prong comb hidden underneath a flap near the end of their abdomen. Early generation larvae feed on leaf shoots, causing flagging and tip dieback. Later generation larvae tunnel through fruit and feed around the pit. Fruit drop is common; fruit remaining on trees is distorted.
Oriental fruit moth adult.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Oriental fruit moth damage to developing shoot.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Monitor populations with pheromone traps.
- Time insecticide applications based on weather monitoring and degree-day models.
- Mating disruption products are effective as an alternative technique.
