Pear fruit moth

The Pear fruit moth (Acrobasis pirivorella) is a lepidopteran insect belonging to the family Pyralidae. It is considered a significant pest of pear trees, particularly in East Asian regions, causing economic damage to commercial fruit production.

The primary host plant for this species is the pear, although it can occasionally infest apple trees. The larvae are highly destructive, targeting the reproductive parts of the tree during the early stages of spring growth.

Regarding its life cycle, the larvae overwinter in dense silk cocoons hidden in tree bark crevices or twig forks. In early spring, coinciding with bud swell, the larvae emerge and bore into the expanding buds to feed on internal tissues, progressively moving to blossoms and young fruitlets.

The damage is characterized by the sudden wilting and drying of buds, flowers, and developing fruit. As the larvae tunnel into the young pears, the fruit stops growing, becomes deformed, and eventually drops prematurely, which can lead to substantial yield reduction in heavily infested orchards.

Management strategies focus on a combination of cultural and chemical controls. Recommended practices include:

• Regular monitoring during the bud break period.
• Application of targeted insecticides during the larval emergence phase.
• Pruning and destruction of infested twigs.
• Consistent removal and disposal of fallen fruit to disrupt the pest's cycle.