The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a pest that damages fruit of apple, pear, walnut and quince. It is the “worm in the apple.” The larva (caterpillar stage) typically bores through the blossom end or the stem end of the fruit, eating its way to the center and then eating an exit route that fills with frass. Codling moths go through two generations per year in most regions of the U.S. The first generation can contribute to fruitlets falling during “June drop.” The second generation damages fruit but does not induce dropping, so affected fruit must be culled at harvest.
The sex pheromone lure attracts males only; use for monitoring (as opposed to reducing population and fruit damage). When moths start to collect in the traps, that is the time to start spraying an organic insecticide: Bacillus thuringiensis (DiPel or Safer Caterpillar Killer) or Spinosad (Monterey Garden Insect Spray). Use 1–2 traps per tree, depending on the size of the tree. Set out 1-2 weeks before bud break, in early spring, and keep traps in trees through August, replacing every 4 weeks. Installation instructions included. Set of 2 traps and 2 lures.
