Cydia pomonella
Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae
Identification
The caterpillar is whitish and up to 1/2" long. (a)
The adult moth is gray-brown and almost 1/2" long, with white banding
on the wings. (b)
Damage
The caterpillar tunnels through the fruit of apple and pear; this
is the worm in wormy apples. (a)
The larva enters at the bottom of the apple and burrows through the
core. When reaching maturity, the larva tunnels out through the apple flesh,
emerging through a hole in the side of the apple.
Management
Insecticide applications are effective, starting at apple blossom
petal fall.
Other Information
There are two generations per year. Larvae of the second generation
can be present in apples through the harvest season.
Mature larvae overwinter in silken cocoons under loose bark on the
tree.