Green fruitworms
Green fruitworms include several species of caterpillars, all of which are pale green, often with whitish
stripes down each side of the body and a narrow stripe down the middle of the back.
Identification of species | Life cycle
Damage
Green fruitworms feed on leaves, occasionally tying them loosely together with silk. Fruit may be almost
entirely devoured or they may have only a few bites taken out of them. Superficially damaged fruit remains
on the tree, becoming misshapen and scarred. Feeding gouges are deeper than those caused by leafrollers.
Early in the season, fruitworms eat unopened buds.
Solutions
Natural control factors probably hold green fruitworms below
damaging levels in most seasons and treatment is rarely needed.
Many insecticides, including
spinosad and Bacillus
thuringiensis, are available for control. |
The speckled green fruitworm on a blossom |
Damaged
plum |
Damage
to pears |
|
