Sterile Moth release and mating disruption interrupts the lifecycle here.
After mating, adult moths lay eggs on leaf surface or fruit.
Chemical pesticides target the egg or larvae before it enters the fruit.
Following pupation, adult moths emerge and begin mating.
After hatching, larva burrows into fruit.
Some larvae that enter the cocoon/pupa stage can be captured with cardboard banding. Burning or chipping infested wood destroys larvae that may be present in/on the wood.
After exiting the fruit, pupation occurs under loose bark or nearby debris.
Removing and destroying infested fruit stops the cycle at this stage.
After mating, adult moths lay eggs on leaf surface or fruit.
Chemical pesticides target the egg or larvae before it enters the fruit.
After hatching, larva burrows into fruit.
Removing and destroying infested fruit stops the cycle at this stage.
After exiting the fruit, pupation occurs under loose bark or nearby debris.
Some larvae that enter the cocoon/pupa stage can be captured with cardboard banding. Burning or chipping infested wood destroys larvae that may be present in/on the wood.
Following pupation, adult moths emerge and begin mating.
Sterile Moth release and mating disruption interrupts the lifecycle here.
Scroll your mouse over the codling moth life cycle image above to learn about preventative control measures at different times in the life cycle.
SIR implements a successful area-wide codling moth management program. Working area-wide means better codling moth control for everyone. However, the responsibility for controlling the codling moth, either in an orchard or a back yard, ultimately rests on the property owner.
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Codling Moth Identification
BC Ministry of Agriculture
BC Ministry of Agriculture
Understanding and identifying the codling moth and the damage it causes is the first step to controlling the pest in your orchard. See The Pests section for more information.
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Sterile Insect Release
SIR Program staff release sterile codling moths into all orchards throughout the program service area. See The Sterile Insect Release Process for more information.
Sterile insect technology, on which the SIR Program is based, is not a stand-alone control method for orchards. SIR is part of an integrated pest management regime, and at times it is necessary for growers to apply other standard control measures for codling moths.
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Monitoring
SIR staff install and monitor pheromone traps, send out trap counts weekly and provide supplementary fruit inspection for all orchards in the service area. It is important for growers to scout their own orchards for codling moth damage. Codling moth traps are placed strategically to determine if supplementary control measures are required, not to capture every codling moth in an orchard.
Orchardists who spend time in their orchard, who are familiar with blocks that may be susceptible to infestation, and who are vigilant in their efforts to control the moth, are better able to deal with infestations before they becomes a serious problems.
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Chemical Control
Chemical controls for codling moths may be necessary in orchards where high wild codling moth populations are present. Growers are encouraged to contact their field consultant for advice about the use of chemical pesticides in their specific orchards.See Spraying Information for more information.
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Remove Sources of Infestation
One of the best ways that growers can help to reduce the potential for codling moth infestation is to remove host trees that are not, or cannot, be properly maintained.
Common examples include:
- host trees planted too close to buildings, fences, and slopes where spray equipment cannot access both sides of the trees
- wild trees growing in ditches, along fence lines, or regrowing from stumps
- host trees growing in the yards of houses located on orchard properties and crabapple pollinator trees located outside of the main orchard
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Firewood
Do not store or sell firewood obtained from infested host trees.Codling moth larvae can hibernate in the bark and crevices of tree trunks for up to two years. Burn, chip, or otherwise dispose of the wood.