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Bug eating apples #880136

Asked August 04, 2024, 1:28 PM EDT

We are wondering what type of bug this is on our apples and how to control it? We have one Honeycrisp and one zestar. This is the first year we have apples so we are pretty excited. One tree had almost all the apples infested. The other not so much. Thank you very much for any help Todd

Becker County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Evening Todd, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website about growing apples: https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples

It is important that you read through the information about how to avoid pests and disease which is lower in the information. 

Here is another link about apple maggots: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/apple-maggot

Here is a more detailed link about white rot: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-42

From viewing your photos, I believe it could be white rot. 

The insect is a four-spotted sap beetle. I do not believe this insect is the cause of the problem but is drawn to the rotting fruit. https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/research/sap-beetles#:~:text=Four%2Dspotted%20sap%20beetles%20are,viewed%20from%20the%20top%20(Fig.

Good Luck!

Maureen Graber Replied August 06, 2024, 8:50 PM EDT

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