Here's the information of the pests that affect apple trees:
1. Apple Mites:
- Scientific Name: Panonychus ulmi
- Family: Tetranychidae
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Damaging Stage: Both adults and nymphs can cause damage.
- Nature of Damage: Apple mites feed on the leaves, causing stippling, bronzing, and distortion of the foliage. They can also infest the fruit, leading to russeting, scarring, and reduced quality.
- Oviposition: Females lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves.
- Pupation Site: Apple mites do not have a distinct pupation stage. They molt into the next developmental stage.
- Management: Cultural practices such as regular pruning, proper tree spacing, and removal of infested leaves can help reduce apple mite populations. Additionally, insecticidal sprays can be used if the infestation is severe.
2. Codling Moth:
- Scientific Name: Cydia pomonella
- Family: Tortricidae
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Damaging Stage: The larval stage (caterpillar) causes the most damage.
- Nature of Damage: Codling moth larvae tunnel into the fruit, leaving brown frass (excrement) and feeding channels. This results in blemished and worm-infested apples.
- Oviposition: Adult female moths lay eggs on fruit or leaves near developing fruit.
- Pupation Site: Larvae pupate inside cocoons either within the fruit or on the tree bark.
- Management: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices are commonly used to control codling moth. This includes monitoring traps, pheromone disruption, cultural practices like pruning and removing infested fruit, and the judicious use of insecticides.
