Insect
Codling Moth
Cydia pomonellaAlso known as Codlin Moth, Apple Worm Moth
Codling moths are subtle, mottled gray orchard pests known worldwide for their larvae, which burrow into the hearts of apples, pears, and walnuts. Adult moths spend daylight hours resting camouflaged against tree bark, emerging at dusk when ambient temperatures warm above critical flight thresholds. Females lay single eggs directly on developing fruit or nearby leaves, initiating a cycle that can yield up to three generations in a single warm summer.
Night ActiveAgricultural PestMoth
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyApples, Pears, Walnuts
Predators
- Bats
- Insectivorous Birds
- Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsPesticide applications and targeted orchard management practices.
HabitatsOrchards, suburban gardens, and wild fruit stands.
Life span1–2 months
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyTortricidae
- GenusCydia
- SpeciesCydia pomonella
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Adults: Look for mottled gray moths resting quietly on tree bark near orchards during late afternoon.
- Managing Pest Sign: Inspect developing apples for small entrance holes surrounded by reddish-brown frass.
- Pheromone Traps: Use sticky traps with female pheromone lures to monitor local adult flight activity.
Co-Pest Simon Hinkley & Ken Walker, Museum Victoria / CC BY 3.0 au · cc-by
Competitor (c) David Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Anderson · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette · cc-by
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Codling Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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