Oriental fruit moths are nasty little pests that wreak havoc in a number of trees including cherries, quince, pear, plum, apple, ornamental cherry, and even rose. However, the pests are particularly fond of nectarines and peaches.
Fruit moths in peaches aren’t easy to control, but the following information should be helpful. Read on to learn more about oriental fruit moth in peaches.
Peach Fruit Moth Symptoms
Adult fruit moths are gray with dark grey bands on the
wings. The adults lay tiny, disk-shaped eggs on twigs or the undersides of
leaves. They fly in the evenings or sometimes early in the morning. The eggs
are white, but eventually change to amber. One female moth can lay as many as
200 eggs. Oriental fruit moths generally have four or five generations per
year.
Oriental fruit moth larva, which are white with dark heads,
turn pinkish as they mature. The larvae overwinter in cocoons, which may be
seen on the tree or the ground. In spring, the larvae bore into twigs, causing
dieback and wilt.
The next generation of larvae bores into developing fruit,
often leaving masses of gummy castings or “frass.”
Later generations enter the stem end of the fruit, especially at the top of the
tree. Tiny entry holes in peaches with oriental fruit moths are difficult to
see and are often an unpleasant surprise after the fruit is harvested.
How to Kill Oriental Fruit Moths
Controlling fruit moth in peaches isn’t the easiest, but
with some simple approaches, it can be possible. If you plan to plant new peach
trees, plant early cultivars that will be harvested by midsummer. Cultivate the
soil around the trees in early spring. Working the soil to a depth of about
four inches (10 cm.) will help destroy overwintering larvae. Plant blooming
cover crops that will attract beneficial
predatory insects, including braconid
wasps.
Pheromone dispensers hung from the lower limbs of trees in
February, and again 90 days later, will help prevent peaches with oriental
fruit moths by interfering with mating. However, pheromones are generally used
in orchards and may not be effective for home gardens.
Dormant oils aren’t effective against fruit moths in
peaches, but some insecticides,
including pyrethroids, are suitable for home use. Check with your local
cooperative extension office as many are highly toxic to bees while others
threaten fish and other aquatic life if the spray drifts or runs off.
