Lesser appleworm
Grapholitha prunivora
Egg: The egg closely resembles a small codling moth egg. It is a flat, oval disk about 1/40 inch (0.75 mm) long. When first laid, it is shiny white and slightly opaque. As it matures, it turns yellowish white and develops a red ring inside. Just before it hatches, the dark head capsule of the developing larva is visible.
Larva: The newly hatched larva is creamy white with a black or dark brown head capsule and is about 1/20 inch (1 mm) long. The mature larva is pinkish white and measures up to 3/8 inch (9 mm) long. It is difficult to distinguish from other larvae that might be found in the same host fruits, particularly oriental fruit moth. The larva of the lesser appleworm can be distinguished from the codling moth larva by an anal comb, which the codling moth larva does not have.
Pupa: The pupa is golden brown and about 1/5 inch (5 mm) long.
Adult: The adult lesser appleworm is a small moth, about 1/4 inch (5 to 6 mm) long. The body color is dark brown to almost black. Its main distinguishing characteristic is a pattern of white, grayish orange, and golden brown with iridescent light blue bands on the forewings.
Life history. The lesser appleworm overwinters as a mature larva in debris on the ground under the host plant or under bark scales on the tree. In the Pacific Northwest, the pupa develops over a 2- to 3-week period in early spring. Adult emergence begins in early April, depending on weather conditions, and adults that develop from overwintering larvae may be active until early June.
Soon after emerging, adults mate and females lay eggs on leaf surfaces or fruit. Eggs hatch in 7 to 10 days. Larvae feed on the fruit immediately after hatching and continue to feed for 18 to 24 days. When mature, they spin tightly woven cocoons in debris or fruit on the ground or under bark scales on the tree.
Second generation adults are active from mid-June through early August. Moths from this generation tend to deposit more of their eggs on fruit than on leaves. After maturing, the larvae spin cocoons and most overwinter. In some years, a third flight of adults may occur.