Codling Moth
This problem spreads through handling, insects or soil rather than the weather, so there is no live forecast risk — focus on prevention below.
When it strikes
About
The codling moth is the key pest of apples and pears worldwide; its larvae tunnel into the core of developing fruit, causing the classic 'wormy apple' and major harvest loss.
Symptoms
Small entry holes plugged with brown crumbly frass on fruit, tunnels bored to the core, premature fruit drop, and pinkish-white caterpillars inside.
Organic Treatment
Hang pheromone traps to monitor flights, bag individual fruit, apply codling moth granulosis virus or spinosad at egg hatch, and band trunks to catch larvae.
Chemical Treatment
Spinosad or insect growth regulators timed to egg hatch using degree-day or trap models; multiple generations need repeat sprays.
Prevention
Remove dropped and infested fruit promptly, scrape loose bark, use pheromone-based mating disruption, and time controls to monitored flights.