Codling moth

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella, formerly known as Carpocapsa pomonella) is a major agricultural pest belonging to the Tortricidae family. This moth is globally recognized as one of the most destructive insects affecting pome fruits, particularly apples and pears, in temperate climate zones.

The host range of this insect primarily includes apples and pears, but it also infests walnuts, quinces, and occasionally stone fruits. Without effective control measures, the larvae can damage a very high percentage of the harvest, making the fruit unmarketable due to internal tunnel formation.

The biological cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The insect typically overwinters as a mature larva in a silken cocoon hidden under loose bark or in the soil. Adults emerge in late spring, and females deposit eggs individually on fruit surfaces or adjacent leaves once temperatures are suitable.

Damage is caused entirely by the larvae, which bore into the fruit to reach the seeds. As they feed, they create galleries filled with frass, leading to secondary infections by fungi and bacteria. Often, the presence of these "wormholes" is the first sign of an infestation, causing fruit drop before maturity.

Control strategies should be integrated to reduce reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides. Effective measures include the application of pheromone traps for monitoring, mating disruption techniques, and the use of selective insecticides such as insect growth regulators. Additionally, orchard sanitation, such as removing infested fruit, significantly lowers population pressure.