ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH

4, Life stages: a, young larva; b, mature larva; c, pupa; d, adult. B, Damage to tender new tips. C, External evidence of fruit moth damage to ripe peach. D, Internal damage with e, larva and frass next to the stone. (A, six times natural size; B. C. and D, natural size.)

ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH

The oriental fruit moth occurs generally throughout the United States. But it is most destructive in the East and Midwest. It favors peaches and quinces but may attack other deciduous fruits. In the larval stage the insect injures both twigs and fruit. Early in the season the larvae, or worms, bore into the tips of tender twigs and cause them to wilt and dry up. Later, as the twigs harden and the fruit nears maturity, most of the worms bore into and injure the fruit. Moths first appear about the time peach trees are in bloom. The females usually lay their eggs on the leaves.

The newly hatched worms feed in twigs or fruit until mature and then spin cocoons in a protected place on the tree or ground. Usually there are four or five generations each year. The insect passes the winter as a full-grown worm in a cocoon in a protected place on the tree or ground.

Control: Sprays containing 2 pounds of 50 percent DDT or 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of 15 percent parathion wettable powder per 100 gallons of water are effective in protecting twigs and fruit. Apply three applications at 10- to 12-day intervals beginning at the petal-fall or shuck-split stage of fruit development to prevent injury from first-brood larvae. To control injury from second- and third-brood worms, apply one spray 7 to 8 weeks and another 3 to 4 weeks before harvest. Control of the first brood may give control for the entire season in orchards not subject to reinfestation from nearby untreated orchards. Many growers have protected their fruit from injury by making only the applications suggested for controlling the second and third broods.

Do not spray fruits later than 3 weeks before picking. Scrub or peel sprayed or dusted fruits before eating them. Parathion is especially dangerous to handle; when you use it, follow all safety precautions printed on the package.