Why are these pests so harmful?

The female codling moth can lay over 100 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs are individually laid on foliage near apples/pears or directly on apples/pears as the moth travels through the orchard. The worms that hatch eat into the fruit, destroying it. San Jose scale is a serious parasite of apple and pear attacking both the fruit and wood of the tree. Cherry fruit fly inserts eggs under fruit skin. Eggs hatch into maggots that feed on fruit and remain in fruit through harvest.

Important: Fruit from infested apple, pear and cherry orchards is denied access to foreign markets due to a concern of pest introduction to that country. Additional cover sprays cost growers and backyard tree fruit owner's time and money. These additional sprays also eliminate growers from more lucrative markets because the marketplace is very concerned about sprays used on fruit. When the fruit is eliminated from markets, lower prices for fruit impacts the industry, affecting the economic well-being of our communities. Commercial apple, pear and cherry fruit growers have fewer control products due to pest resistance and the high cost of pesticide re-registration.

Show All Answers

1. Are backyard fruit trees more trouble than they are worth?
2. In what way am I responsible for my fruit trees?
3. What harm can my fruit tree do?
4. What are some pests of tree fruits?
5. Why are these pests so harmful?
6. What must I do to control codling moth, San Jose scale and cherry fruit fly?
7. What might happen if I don't control my fruit tree pests?
8. What should I do if I already have a fruit tree on my property and it has not been sprayed for pests?
9. What should I consider before I plant a backyard fruit tree?
10. Can I grow a fruit tree from a sprout growing on my property?