The winter moth (Operophtera brumata) will leave its calling card on your apple tree in the form of numerous holes in the leaves - it weakens the tree and leaves it open to other diseases.

 

The caterpillar stage of the winter moth feeds on the leaves, blossoms and young fruitlets during the spring. The caterpillar weaves a silken thread loosely through the leaves and the small holes made at this stage often go unnoticed. As the leaves develop, the holes enlarge and become noticeable, but the caterpillar has done it's dastardly work by that stage and has gone back down the tree into the soil to pupate into the fully grown winter moth - they will emerge from the soil anytime between November and March.

 

The life cycle is continued because of a very unusual characteristic of the winter moth - only the male moth's can fly; the female's wings are totally useless for flying. The females climb all the way up the tree trunk into the main tree to lay their eggs again.

How to Treat Winter Moth
Preventative treatment is the only reliable way of controlling this pest. Tie a sticky grease band (available at most garden centres) around the trunk during the period when the females might be making their way back up the trunk  - October to April should do the job. One tip - if the tree has a supporting stake, tie a band around that as well! Keep the band clean of leaves and other debris. Remove and burn it in April.

 

 

BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE