Apple infestation - Ask Extension
I think my apple trees are overrun with some sort of tunneling worm. The apples are peppered with entry and exit locations with brown trail through th...
Knowledgebase
Apple infestation #880424
Asked August 06, 2024, 3:14 PM EDT
I think my apple trees are overrun with some sort of tunneling worm. The apples are peppered with entry and exit locations with brown trail through the flesh. Apples are infected very early on, when apples are dime size or smaller. Have tried dormant spray, orchard spray just as petals are falling, spray every seven days, no improvement. Have never seen any insects on the apples or on the tree. Have tried a variety of different sprays, nothing seems to work. Infestation has been every year for last ten. I clean up fallen apples promptly. Help please!!
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Compare what you are seeing with the following websites. This is most likely apple maggot or apple curculio. Timing of sprays is tricky as discussed in the websites. Sticky trap cards can be used to trap them and verify their presence. There are a variety of ways to control the maggots per the website.
1. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/fruit/apple/fruitholes.html
2. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/apple-maggot
3. https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2024/08/apple-curculio-lesser-known-orchard-pest.html
It would be helpful to see a cut apple to verify which of the above is the problem.
1. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/fruit/apple/fruitholes.html
2. https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/apple-maggot
3. https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2024/08/apple-curculio-lesser-known-orchard-pest.html
It would be helpful to see a cut apple to verify which of the above is the problem.
