Prévention et Lutte

The codling moth ( Cydia pomonella ) is a serious pest that affects commercial orchards, causing significant damage to fruit production and quality. Understanding its life cycle, the symptoms it causes, and effective methods for preventing it is essential to protect orchards and ensure abundant and healthy harvests.


Life cycle of the codling moth

Key steps

  • Spring emergence: Adult butterflies emerge from diapause as early as April.
  • Egg laying and larval invasion: Eggs are laid on leaves or fruit. After hatching, the larvae burrow into the apples.
  • Multiple generations: In warm regions, the codling moth can produce up to three generations per season, intensifying the damage.
  • Winter diapause: The larvae take refuge in the bark and soil to overwinter, ready to resume their cycle in the spring.

Damage caused by codling moth

On fruits

  • Internal galleries: The larvae bore down to the seeds, leaving visible traces of droppings around the perforations.
  • Quality Degradation: Infested apples become inedible and unsaleable, even for processing.

Economic consequences

  • Reduced yields: An infestation can significantly reduce the volume harvested.
  • Increased costs: Controlling codling moth requires significant human and financial resources.

Prevention and control methods

1. Prevention in the orchard

  • Strict hygiene: Collect and dispose of fallen apples to prevent the development of larvae.
  • Thinning and pruning: Ensure good ventilation of trees to limit areas prone to infestations.
  • Resistant varieties: Some modern varieties are less susceptible to attack.

2. Biological methods

Sexual confusion

  • Diffuse pheromones to disrupt mating and limit reproduction.
  • Recommended: For well-defined plots.

Granulosis virus

  • This specific biocontrol kills larvae by targeting only the codling moth.
  • Practical: For organic orchards.

Nematodes

  • Introduce Steinernema carpocapsiae to parasitize overwintering larvae.

3. Mechanical and physical methods

  • Insect nets: An effective barrier against adult moths.
  • Mass trapping: Pheromone traps help reduce local populations.

4. Conventional approaches

  • Selective insecticides: Such as Bacillus thuringiensis , targeting young larvae.
  • Combination treatments: Use granulose-enriched food attractants to maximize impact.

Your solution for replanting your apple trees

The codling moth can cause irreparable losses, including the destruction of entire fruit trees. As a wholesale supplier, Arboriverse is committed to supporting you in the renewal of your orchard.

Why choose Arboriverse for your apple trees?

  • Professional quality: Our apple trees are grafted and selected for their resistance and yield.
  • Suitable variety: Available in bare roots, half-stem or high-stem, our apple trees are suitable for all configurations.
  • Competitive prices: Access direct producer rates to optimize your investments.
  • Reliable delivery: Fast and careful shipping throughout France.

Additional services

  • Personalized advice: Select varieties resistant to codling moth thanks to the expertise of our technicians.
  • Replanting planning: Benefit from technical support to ensure optimal recovery.

FAQs

  • How can codling moths be prevented? A combination of mating disruption, picking up fallen apples, and using nets is particularly effective.
  • When to start treatments? As soon as the butterflies emerge in spring, detected by pheromone traps.
  • Is the granulosis virus safe? Yes, it is specific to codling moth larvae and harmless to other organisms.
  • What to do in case of heavy infestations? Consider integrated control combining biocontrol, mechanical methods and spot treatments.
  • Which plants should you choose to replace destroyed apple trees? Choose modern, hardy varieties, available from Arboriverse.

Conclusion

The codling moth is a major scourge for growers, but proper management strategies can limit its damage. In the event of tree loss, trust Arboriverse to replenish your orchard with professional-quality apple trees. Contact us today for our expert advice and tailor-made solutions.