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CAPS Non-target - Adult
Port Interception Target - Larva

Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Grapholitini)

Common names: codling moth

Synonyms: aeneana (Tortrix), glaphyrana (Carpocapsa splendana ab.), pomana (Pyralis), pomonana (Tortrix)

Subspecies: simpsonii (Idaho)

Cydia pomonella is often referred to as Carpocapsa pomonella and Laspeyresia pomonella in older literature. The correct generic name is Cydia; refer to Brown (2006) for more information.

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 1: Male

Fig. 2: Female

Fig. 2: Female

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 3: Female

Fig. 4: Male genitalia

Fig. 4: Male genitalia

Fig. 5: Female genitalia

Fig. 5: Female genitalia

Fig. 6: Early instar larva

Fig. 6: Early instar larva

Fig. 7: Larva

Fig. 7: Larva

Fig. 8: Pupa

Fig. 8: Pupa

Fig. 9: Resting adult

Fig. 9: Resting adult

Fig. 10: Adults in sticky trap

Fig. 10: Adults in sticky trap

Fig. 11: Resting adult

Fig. 11: Resting adult

Fig. 12: Resting adult

Fig. 12: Resting adult

Adult Recognition

FWL: 6.5-11.0 mm

Forewings are gray with silvery striations. The ocellus is dark purplish brown and is edged with metallic gold or copper scales. Hindwings are grayish brown and males have a fold along the base of the cubital vein that contains a hair pencil with long black sex scales. Male genitalia are characterized by a ventrally projecting spur at the base of the cucullus. Female genitalia are characterized by a short sclerotized ductus bursae.

Adults may appear similar to dark individuals of Cydia splendana. Cydia pomonella can be separated from C. splendana by the metallic scales surrounding the ocellus and the hair pencil on the male hindwing. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.

Larval Morphology

For information on the larva of Cydia pomonella, please consult the fact sheet and keys on LepIntercept - An identification resource for intercepted Lepidoptera larvae.

Biology

Cydia pomonella completes 2-4 generations per year. In North America, adults are present in many locations from April through September.

Females lay eggs singly on fruits, stems, or leaves of the host. Larvae tunnel into fruit to feed on the seeds. Larval damage to fruit is characterized by entry and exit holes, rot that surrounds larval feeding areas, and frass accumulation. Mature larvae exit the fruit and create a cocoon under tree bark or in leaf litter; overwintering occurs as a prepupa.

Host plants

Cydia pomonella is the most widely distributed and important pest of apple, pear, and walnuts in the world. Other larval hosts include almond, apricot, fig, macadamia, nectarine, peach, plum, prune, and quince. Wearing et al. 2001 provide evidence that sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is not a larval host.

Larvae were intercepted on Citrus in 2009, confirming Rutaceae as a larval host.

Family Genus/species Common name
Fagaceae Castanea sativa Mill. European chestnut
Juglandaceae Juglans L. walnut
Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. English walnut
Moraceae Ficus carica L. edible fig
Proteaceae Macadamia F. Muell. macadamia
Rosaceae [unspecified]
Rosaceae Cydonia oblonga Mill. quince
Rosaceae Malus domestica Borkh. apple
Rosaceae Malus Mill. apple
Rosaceae Malus pumila Mill. paradise apple
Rosaceae Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. European crab apple
Rosaceae Prunus L.
Rosaceae Prunus persica (L.) Batsch peach
Rosaceae Pyrus communis L. common pear
Rosaceae Pyrus L. pear
Rosaceae Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz chess-apple
Rutaceae Citrus L. citrus

Distribution

Cydia pomonella is found in nearly all temperate pome fruit-growing regions of the world. It is notably absent from Japan and Korea.

References

Barnes, M. M. 1991. Codling moth occurance, host race formation, and damage, pp. 313-327. In L. P. S. van der Geest and H. H. Evenhius [eds.], Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Brown, R. 1979. The valid generic and tribal names for the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Olethreutinae: Tortricidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 72: 565-567.

Brown, J. W. 2006. Scientific names of pest species in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) frequently cited erroneously in the entomological literature. American Entomologist. 52: 182-189.

Falcon, L. A. and J. Huber. 1991. Biological control of the codling moth, pp. 355-369. In L. P. S. van der Geest and H. H. Evenhius [eds.], Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Gilligan, T. M., D. J. Wright and L. D. Gibson. 2008. Olethreutine moths of the midwestern United States, an identification guide. Ohio Biological Survey, Columbus, Ohio. 334 pp.

MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist Supplement 10: 1-338.

Wearing, C. H., J. D. Hansen, C. Whyte, C. E. Miller and J. Brown. 2001. The potential for spread of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) via commercial sweet cherry fruit: a critical review and risk assessment. Crop Protection. 20: 465-488.

[Numerous other important codling moth references are not listed here; consult Wearing et al. 2001 for an expanded list]

Photo Credits

Figs. 6-12: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Tortricids of Agricultural Importance by Todd M. Gilligan and Marc E. Epstein
Interactive Keys developed in Lucid 3.5. Last updated August 2014.