Codling moth on an apple tree: methods of struggle, how to process to get rid of

There are many methods of dealing with the codling moth on the apple tree. In finished form, you can buy biological and chemical preparations. Compositions made according to folk recipes are also considered effective. The main thing is to follow the rules and deadlines for processing trees. Each solution is made with exact observance of the recommended proportions. Preventive measures will prevent the pest from reappearing.

Structure and life cycle of the pest

The codling moth is an insect pest that significantly reduces the yield and damages the tree itself. Codling moth eats young twigs and leaves.

A butterfly that lays eggs is small in size (in a span of no more than 2 cm). The front pair of wings are brown-gray with dark wavy lines. The rear pair of wings is light with velvety edges.

Butterflies begin vigorous activity from the beginning of the flowering period of apple trees. Summer lasts up to two months. The butterfly is active at night, so it is difficult to see it during the day.

The insect lays up to 80-100 milky-yellow eggs on the inside of the leaves. After a couple of weeks, caterpillars of a light yellow or pink hue appear from the eggs. The length of an adult caterpillar is 15-19 mm.

First the caterpillars gnaw on the leaves. After a week of their life, they begin to eat the fruits of the apple tree. One caterpillar can damage up to three fruits. Inside the apples, the caterpillars continue their development, where they pupate.

Characteristic signs and how harmful the appearance of a parasite on an apple tree

It is possible to determine that an apple tree has been attacked by a codling moth by the condition of the leaves and fruits. Corroded passages appear on the leaves, they turn yellow and dry. The caterpillars themselves are also found on the apple tree, which eat the leaves.

Damaged fruits become wormy. In the place where the caterpillar has made moves, rotting begins. Apples fall long before ripening, lose their useful properties and are not subject to long-term storage.

The harm caused by the codling moth is big:

• cropping declines;
• apples do not ripen and fall;
• at the same time, other fruit trees that grow near apple trees are also affected.

After an apple falls from a tree, the caterpillar moves up the trunk to a new crop.

Means to combat codling moth

You can fight the pest by chemical, mechanical and folk methods. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:

• During the active summer of butterflies and the release of caterpillars from eggs, trees are treated with chemicals.
• Biological preparations used in summer are considered non-toxic.
• Mechanical control does not involve the use of any drugs. It is only necessary to monitor the trunk and bark of trees, as well as the soil around the apple tree.
• Folk remedies made entirely from natural ingredients can be combined with other drugs or used on their own.

If you follow all the rules, you will be able to get rid of the insect in a short time. Spraying is carried out several times a season.

Chemical solutions

The most effective way to combat the codling moth is the use of insecticides. They process apple trees in the summer months with an interval of two weeks. The frequency of the procedure will depend on the variety. It is enough to process early varieties three times per season, mid-ripening - up to 5 times, and late varieties of apple trees are processed up to 7 times.

Common remedies include: Ditox, Karbofos, Fozalon, Aktara, Confidor. Pyrethroid preparations are also used: Calypso, Karate, Arrivo, Alatar, Kinmiks, Fatrin. Carry out the processing of apple trees and cyhalothorins: "Gladiator", "Vanteks", "Borey".

The processing of apple trees begins with a ready-made solution in early June and continues until mid-July. In the future, the use of chemistry is unacceptable.

Biologicals

Insecticides contribute to the accumulation of chemical elements in fruits, so it is recommended to alternate them with other, safer means. Biological products (Fitoverm, Lepidocide, Bitoxibacillin) help to fight the pest.

Compositions prepared according to folk recipes are considered proven and effective:

• As soon as the flowering period is over, treat with a solution based on wormwood every 12 days up to four times. You can plant wormwood near the apple tree.
• You can spray the crown of apple trees after flowering with a solution based on pine needles. The needles are infused in water for a week, then filtered. Before use, the finished concentrate is once again diluted with water.
• Helps protect the tree from attack by codling moth infusion of chamomile, wormwood, burdock or garlic.

You can lure a pest with apple cider vinegar. Dissolve 150 ml of vinegar in a liter of water. The bait is placed on a tree. Change the solution as it fills with insects.

Machining

Mechanical methods of codling moth control include:

• deep digging of soil around a tree trunk in spring and autumn;
• removal of dead bark in the spring (it is better to burn it);
• should pick up apples that have fallen every evening (they are buried or taken far from the garden).

The above activities are safe for the apple tree and the person himself and will not allow the pest to spread massively.

When to start and how to process properly

To ensure that all activities are not in vain, you need to correctly calculate the processing period. Throughout the growing season, the apple tree needs several treatments with different options. This will protect the tree not only from the codling moth, but also from other pests.

In due time, start spraying. For work, you will need a working solution, a spraying device, as well as personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, clothing).

During spraying, you should try not to leave a single branch unattended. The first spraying begins in the middle of flowering, when the buds are already tied. The next spraying is carried out 12 days after the flower petals fall.

Spring

In order for apple trees to grow longer and bear fruit well, they need to be properly cared for. Spring processing of fruit trees is a mandatory procedure:

• Around each apple tree they remove old foliage, garbage and dig up the ground.
• They clean the trunk of old bark, under which pests can winter.
• Be sure to cut off old, diseased, dry branches.
• In order to rejuvenate the tree, it is recommended to cut each branch to the length of the growth.
• After pruning trees, preventive treatment of trees from pests and diseases begins. Initially, the crown is processed when the buds have not yet blossomed. Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate are used as the basis for solutions.

The best time to treat codling moth trees is 2.5 weeks after flowering.

Summer

Chemical preparations are used only at the beginning of summer, so that pesticides do not have time to accumulate in the fruits. You can process trees with folk remedies at any time:

• In mid-June, the first summer treatment from the codling moth is carried out. You can spray with insecticides such as Aktellik, Dimetoat.
• The second treatment is done in July, three weeks after the previous treatment. You need to choose drugs that will help protect the tree from the second generation of the codling moth.

From the end of July, the processing of trees is stopped. At this time, you should follow the basic rules of prevention.

Prevention of the appearance of a bug

To prevent the appearance of a pest on a tree, a number of preventive actions should be taken:

• the separated bark should be removed from the tree trunk in time, which can become a wintering place for the insect;
• the soil around each tree is dug up and loosened;
• reliable protection against pests is created by planting flowers around the tree that attract insects that are dangerous to the codling moth;
• damaged and diseased branches with fruits are removed immediately after detection;
• cracks in wood are repaired with special tools.

In the spring, the soil and tree trunk are sprinkled with wood ash. Prepare and spray solution. Dissolve 100 g of ash in a bucket of water, insist and add liquid soap. A treated apple tree is not damaged by pests for a long time.

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