Insect Identification sample sheet
The Codling Moth - Cydia pomonella (L.), Family: Tortricidae
The larva of the Codling Moth is the common 'maggot' found in apples throughout the world. Adult moths lay their eggs on apple trees in early summer and larvae hatch within a fortnight. The small larvae burrow into developing apples, where they feed for about one month. In late summer, the fully grown larvae leave the fruit and wander off to construct overwintering shelters (hibernacula), usually in crevices of the bark of the tree trunk. In the following spring the larvae pupate and moths emerge in late May or early June.
Apart from those found in fruits, Codling Moth larvae are most frequently encountered in late summer and autumn when they have emerged from infested fruit that has been picked and brought into the house. Larvae leave the fruit in search of a suitable shelter and will spin their protective silken cases in any suitable crevice. At this stage they are often found in stored and packaged foods, particularly where these have been stored near fresh fruit. Larvae have even been known to spin their hibernacula amongst the tufts of a carpet, causing damage to the fabric in the process.
Control
Usually, there is no need for control measures. Infestation of apple trees in commercial orchards can be prevented by spraying with approved insecticides but these are not generally recommended for garden use. A simple method of trapping Codling Moth larvae is to tie bands of sacking or corrugated cardboard around the tree trunks in mid-July. These can be removed in the autumn after picking the apple crop and burnt to destroy overwintering larvae.
Contact points
This information has been produced by the Insect Information Service of the Natural History Museum. For details of our advisory and identification services, please contact:
Enquiries Manager
Insect Information Services
Department of Entomology
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road
London, SW7 5BD
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7942 5726
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