Fruit Tree Pests in France: Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella)

Quick Read / The Essentials of Codling Moth: A Major Challenge for Arborists

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a major pest of orchards in France, mainly targeting apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot and other pome and stone fruit trees . Arborists must implement appropriate control strategies to minimize economic losses. As a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit plants , we support professionals with robust plants and solutions adapted to optimal crop protection.

This beetle lays its eggs on developing leaves and fruit. The larvae then penetrate the fruit, digging galleries and rendering it inedible. Without prompt intervention, harvests are severely impacted, particularly by premature fruit drop and internal deterioration.

Effective control methods include:

• The use of pheromone traps to disrupt pest reproduction.
• Biological treatments with Bacillus thuringiensis and entomopathogenic nematodes .
• The application of kaolinite clay , which forms a barrier preventing the laying of eggs.
• Approved insecticides , used as a last resort and in strict compliance with authorized doses.

As a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit plants , we offer varieties selected for their resistance and their ability to adapt to climatic conditions. Purchasing quality apple, pear, peach, plum and other fruit tree plants is essential to ensure healthy and profitable production.

Codling Moth Beetles (Cydia pomonella): A Scourge for Professional Arborists

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella), also known as the apple worm, is a serious pest of pome and stone fruit trees. Its presence poses a major threat to crops, particularly in France, where arboriculturists must implement effective strategies to limit its impact.

Fruit tree species concerned

The codling moth primarily attacks the following fruit trees: apricot, almond, cherry, quince, nectarine, peach, pear, apple, and plum. These species are particularly vulnerable to attacks by this beetle, which can compromise their production and significantly reduce fruit quality.

Symptoms of an infestation

Codling moth damage is often visible on attacked fruit. Characteristic symptoms include:

• Presence of holes in the fruit : The larvae penetrate inside the fruit by digging small holes, which leads to rapid deterioration of the flesh.
• Internal galleries : Once inside, the larva feeds on the pulp and digs galleries, which makes the fruit inedible.
• Premature fruit drop : Infested fruit often drops before maturity, reducing production yields.
• Presence of excrement : Small brown clumps at the entrance to the galleries indicate the presence of larvae inside.

Early identification of these signs allows growers to act before the infestation becomes too widespread.

Means of prevention

The fight against codling moth is based on several preventive practices which limit infestations:

• Regular monitoring of orchards : It is essential to frequently observe the trees to detect the first signs of attack.
• Adult trapping : The use of pheromone traps allows the capture of males and the monitoring of population trends.
• Encouragement of natural predators : Insectivorous birds, predatory bugs and some parasitoid wasps help regulate codling moth populations.
• Removal of infested fruit : Collecting and destroying fruit that has fallen or remained on the tree prevents the spread of the pest.

A combination of these practices is often necessary to achieve optimal preventive effect.

Means of control and treatments

Several control methods are available depending on the agricultural production method, whether organic or conventional.

Biological control

• Pheromone traps : These devices disrupt mating by saturating the environment with synthetic pheromones.
• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) : This bacterium produces a toxin specific to codling moth larvae and is an effective alternative to chemical insecticides.
• Use of entomopathogenic nematodes : These microscopic organisms parasitize the larvae and contribute to their elimination.
• Kaolinite Clay Application : A thin layer of clay on the fruit prevents egg laying and reduces infestations.

Conventional wrestling

• Specific insecticide treatments : When no other method is sufficient, insecticides approved for codling moth can be applied, scrupulously respecting the doses and pre-harvest intervals.
• Sexual confusion : As in biological control, the diffusion of synthetic pheromones prevents males from locating females, thus limiting mating and therefore the reproduction of the pest.

The choice of treatment depends on the level of infestation and the regulatory constraints in force for each production method.

Life cycle of the codling moth

The codling moth follows a development cycle that includes several generations per year, particularly in regions with a temperate climate.

• Spring : The first adults emerge as temperatures begin to rise. They mate quickly and lay their eggs on the leaves and developing fruit.
• Summer : The larvae hatch and enter the fruit to feed, causing visible damage after a few weeks.
• Autumn : The larvae leave the fruit to pupate under the bark of trees or in the soil, where they spend the winter before emerging the following spring.

Understanding this life cycle allows us to adapt control strategies according to the pest's development stages.

Factors that promote infestations

Certain environmental conditions influence the proliferation of codling moth:

• High temperatures and drought : These conditions favor the rapid development of successive generations.
• Absence of natural predators : The disappearance of crop auxiliaries (birds, parasitoid insects) can lead to a resurgence of codling moth populations.
• Poor orchard management : Lack of maintenance, accumulation of fallen fruit and lack of preventive measures increase the risk of infestation.

Complementary management strategies

To limit infestations in the long term, it is advisable to adopt suitable cultural practices:

• Choose resistant varieties : Some fruit varieties have a natural tolerance to codling moth.
• Practice crop rotation : Alternating crops and avoiding monoculture of susceptible trees reduces pest pressure.
• Maintaining orchards : Removing dead leaves and damaged fruit limits the codling moth's refuge areas.

Conclusion

The codling moth is one of the main orchard pests in France, representing a significant challenge for professional arborists. A combination of monitoring, preventative measures, and appropriate control methods is essential to limit its impact on fruit production. In the face of changing regulations and sustainability expectations, the search for alternatives to insecticides remains a priority to ensure the profitability and sustainability of orchards.

To summarize: How to effectively manage codling moth in orchards

The fight against codling moth is based on an integrated approach combining monitoring, prevention and targeted treatments . This pest, which attacks apple, pear, peach, plum and other pome and stone fruit trees , causes significant damage by digging galleries in the fruit. As a specialist wholesale supplier of fruit plants , we offer solutions adapted to arborists to optimize the management of their orchards.

🚀 Fighting strategies

• Prevention : increased surveillance, elimination of infested fruit and encouragement of natural predators.
• Adult trapping : Pheromone traps help limit codling moth reproduction.
• Biological control : Bacillus thuringiensis , entomopathogenic nematodes , and kaolinite clay help reduce infestations without resorting to insecticides.
• Conventional methods : rational use of approved insecticides and sexual disruption to prevent adults from mating.

Climatic conditions strongly influence the proliferation of codling moth. A warm, dry spring favors the emergence of several successive generations, making the pest even more difficult to control. Hence the importance of good cultural management , including orchard maintenance , the selection of resistant varieties , and the implementation of appropriate agricultural practices.

By working with a specialist fruit tree plant wholesaler , orchardists can purchase apple, pear, peach, plum, and other hardy fruit trees , while receiving technical advice to improve their profitability. Proactive management and a combination of techniques help preserve harvest quality and secure fruit production.