Tufaha
Apple Fruit Moth
Argyresthia conjugella
Mdudu
Kwa Ufupi
- Wrinkled fruit skin.
- Discolored, sunken patches.
- Small exit holes.
Inaweza pia kupatikana kwenye
Tufaha
Dalili
Apple fruits are riddled with tunnels. Their skin becomes wrinkled and marked with small discolored, sunken lesions. In later stages the skin appears pierced by numerous small holes and brown speckles.
Mapendekezo
Udhibiti wa Kiasili
Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae is recommended to control the pest population. The apple fruit moth has several parasitoids that attack the larvae.
Udhibiti wa Kemikali
Always consider an integrated approach with preventive measures together with biological treatments if available. Practice edge spraying to protect the inner laying trees before moths start migration. Under severe infestation the whole orchard should be sprayed. Insecticides containing Azinphos-methyl, diflubenzuron are recommended to control the pest population. To protect next season infestation, soil treatment with recommended dusts or cabofuran 3g to be applied (1-1.5kg/ha). Also, spray twice Chlorpyriphos (20EC) at 15 days interval.
Ni nini kilisababisha?
The damage is caused by the larvae of Argyresthia conjugella. Their natural host is sorbus aucuparia (rowan) but when the tree's berry production is low it will migrate to apple trees. The small brown and white adult moths appear in summer, when females oviposit on apple fruitlets. The larvae bore directly into the developing fruit and feeds on it. When the larvae is fully grown it will drop to the ground, pupate and overwinter in the soil. Heavy rains, cold temperatures influence the pest population negatively. Late apple varieties are affected the most. Yield can be severely reduced as the fruits become unmarketable.
Hatua za Kuzuia
- Monitor your orchard regularly.
- Install pheromone traps (2-phenyl ethanol and anethol) @ 45/acre separated by 75 feet.
- Change the lures at a 2-3 week interval.
- Thin the tree crowns to provide good air circulation.
Shirikisha
Pakua Plantix
