Cydia pomonella

Status

ADVENTIVE

PORT INTERCEPT | DOMESTIC SURVEY

Taxonomy

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

Common names: codling moth

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

Subspecies: simpsonii (Idaho)

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

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 the absence of an uncus, a ventrally projecting spur at the base of the cucullus, and a large basal cavity in the valva. Female genitalia are characterized by a short, sclerotized ductus bursae and two tack-like signa in the corpus bursae. 

Larval Morphology

The following account is summarized from MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Mature larva 15–19 mm in length; width of head 1.7 mm on average; head yellowish brown, mottled or unmarked; prothoracic shield and anal shield yellowish brown with distinct mottling; legs light brown; body whitish or pale yellow with moderately large pinacula; anal fork is absent; SV group on A1, 2, 7, 8, 9 usually 3:3:2:2:1 but highly variable.

Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in MacKay (1959)MacKay (1959):
MacKay, M. R. 1959. Larvae of the North American Olethreutidae (Lepidoptera). Canadian Entomologist, Supplement 10: 1-338..

Similar Species

Adults may appear similar to dark individuals of Cydia splendana. C. 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.

Larvae may appear similar to those of other Grapholitini, especially other Cydia and Grapholita. Cydia pomonella can be separated from most Grapholita by the absence of an anal fork. Larvae of C. splendana are similar but lack the mottling on the prothoracic and anal shields. Molecular diagnoses may be necessary to positively identify some individuals or early instars.

Distribution

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

Biology

The following account is summarized from Audemard (1991)Audemard (1991):
Audemard, H. 1991. Population dynamics of the codling moth, pp. 327-338. In : van der Geest, L. P. S., Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.), Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam. and Barnes (1991)Barnes (1991):
Barnes, M. M. 1991. Codling moth occurance, host race formation, and damage, pp. 313-327. In : van der Geest, L. P. S., Evenhuis, H. H. (eds.), Tortricid Pests: Their Biology, Natural Enemies, and Control. World Crop Pests, Vol. 5. Elsevier, Amsterdam..

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.

Cydia pomonella is the most widely distributed and important pest of apple (Malus spp.), pear (Pyrus spp.), and walnuts (Juglans spp.) in the world. Other larval hosts include almond (Prunus dulcis), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), fig (Ficus spp.), macadamia (Macadamia spp.), nectarine/peach (Prunus persica), plum/prune (Prunus spp.), and quince (Cydonia oblonga). Wearing et al. (2001)Wearing et al. (2001):
Wearing, C. H., Hansen, J. D., Whyte, C., Miller, C. E., Brown, J. 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. provided evidence that sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is not a larval host. Larvae were intercepted on Citrus in 2009, confirming Rutaceae as a larval host.

Plant Associations

View full screen host table here

Links

Additional photos and a distribution map of this species in North America are available at Moth Photographers Group.