APPLE FRUIT MOTH(ARGYRESTHIA CONJUGELLA)

By: Rachel Yoo

Argyresthia conjugella

Naturally distributed in temperate climates Depends on climatic factors and occurrence

of primary host (ruwan tree) Parasite: Braconid wasp Wingspan: 10-14 mm

Life Cycle

Egg (June/July-July) On fruit of rowan or apple

Larva (July-Aug/Sept) In seeds of rowan or in apple fruits

Pupa (Aug/Sept-May/June) On the ground beneath the tree

Adult (May/June-June/July) Flying

Where?

North America (introduced from Europe in 1897) New York- Mt. Marcy, Trenton Falls California- Fieldbrook

Europe Asia Minor/Central Asia/Japan Siberia Far East

Problem?

Strongly damages apples/Mountain Ash Affected fruits show premature reddening,

weak fruitage, and damaged fruit

How it attacks…

Larva makes tunnel into apple (search for seeds)

More than one larva can attack at once Sometimes pupates in seed area Apple rots in advance

Current Methods of Control

Autumn interrow treatment of ground to destroy pupae

Thinning of crowns Insectide treatment

Bibliography

"Species Page - Argyresthia conjugella ." Entomology Collection. Museums and Collections Services, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.

<http://www.entomology.ualberta.ca/searching_species_details.php?s=4693>.

"Pests: Argyresthia conjugella Zeller - Apple Fruit Miner ." Interactive Agricultural Ecologival Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries. Project «Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atl, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/content/pests/Argyresthia_conjugella/>.

Furenhed, Sara. "Ground-living predators of the apple fruit moth Argyresthia conjugella (Zell.)." Sverges Lantbruks

Universitat, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. <http://exepsilon.slu.se:8080/archive/00001362/01/exjobb.sara.final_epsilon.pdf>.