Apple brown bug

Atractotomus mali

Eggs. ABB also overwinters as an egg that is laid in midsummer. Eggs are generally laid in groups, and are almost always laid on new spur wood. Eggs are minute (1 x 0.2 mm; 0.04 x 0.008 in.) and are flask-shaped. The orange egg cap may be visible protruding from the bark behind leaf abcission scars. Egg hatch occurs at approximately the same time.
Nymphs. Nymphs are mahogany brown and have enlarged second antennal segments. 
Adults. ABB are slightly larger (3.5 mm; 0.15 in.), and are entirely dark, almost black. Like the nymphs, the adults have prominent second antennal segments. Adults appear mid-summer, about 4 weeks after the nymphs. Female ABB lay about 20 eggs 1—2 weeks later.
Damage. Damage to developing flowers or young fruitlets is caused by first-generation nymphs. Adults do not damage fruit. Nymphs puncture the epidermis (called a "sting") by inserting their piercing mouthparts to feed. Damage first appears as reddish "pimples" which become raised, corky, brown or black wart-like blemishes as the fruit expands. Much of the injured fruit will abort by the time of the "June drop." On dark-skinned varieties like Red Delicious, minor blemishes may become less noticeable, and even disappear, as the fruit ripens. But severe blemishes and malformation of the fruit or minor blemishes on lighter-skinned varieties will make the fruit unmarketable.
Some varieties appear to be more susceptible than others, although any variety can be attacked. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy, and Spartan are reported to be among the more sensitive, whereas McIntosh seldom suffers damage.

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