What does it look like?
Male light brown apple moths have forewings measuring 6–10 mm in length, featuring a light brown area at the base that contrasts with a much darker reddish-brown area at the tip. In some males, this darker tip may be absent, resulting in a uniformly light brown wing similar to that of females, where only faintly darker oblique markings differentiate the tip area. Females have slightly larger forewings, ranging from 7–13 mm, with coloration varying from uniform light brown to nearly unmarked.
Larvae (caterpillars) are difficult to distinguish from those of other leafroller species. The first larval instar has a dark brown head, while subsequent instars display a light fawn-coloured head and prothoracic plate (the plate behind the head). Overwintering larvae tend to be darker in colour. First instar larvae measure about 1.6 mm in length, growing to 10–18 mm by the final instar. Mature larvae have a medium green body marked by a darker green central stripe and two lighter side stripes. Pupae initially appear green but quickly harden and darken to a medium brown.
Why is it a problem?
The larvae cause damage to foliage and fruit. Early instars feed on tissue beneath the upper epidermis (surface layer) of leaves, while protected under self-constructed silken webs on the under surface of leaves. Larger larvae migrate from these positions to construct feeding niches between adjacent leaves, between a leaf and fruit, in the developing bud, or on a single leaf, where the topical leaf roll develops. The late-stage larvae feed on all leaf tissue except main veins.
Superficial fruit damage is common in apple varieties which form compact fruit clusters. Leaves are webbed to the fruit and feeding injury takes place under the protection of the leaf; or larvae spin up between fruits of a cluster. Internal damage to apple, pear, and citrus fruits is less common, but a young larva may enter the interior of an apple or pear fruit through the calyx.
Control methods
Lightbrown apple moth is listed as a Sustained Control pest for phytosanitary purposes under the Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038.
This pest is subject to Plan Rule 19.
Related links
Management Programme
Sustained Control Programme
Sustained Control exists to hold well-established pests at an acceptable maximum. However, the costs of management and control grow in-step with the size of the invasive population. Because cost:benefit returns can fall to 1:5 or less, most of this work is focused on specific sites of high ecological value. While the spread of these pests between neighbouring properties remains the predominant risk, in some cases control within properties is still sought and warranted. A sustained control programme will hold populations to maximum acceptable limits over the period of the RPMP.
More informationUnwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
More informationRules
Plan Rule 19
Occupiers of unmanaged pipfruit production sites shall, on receipt of a written direction from an Authorised Person, control;
a) apple black spot on their land from the presence of green tips until fruit maturity/harvest
b) codling moth on their land if five or more codling moths are caught in any one codling moth pheremone trap during any calendar week on their land
c) European canker by inspecting all pipfruit trees on their land at least four times during the year, applying post-harvest sprays if canker is found and removing and burning all infected pipfruit tree parts showing any presence of European canker
d) fireblight on their land during the pipfruit bloom period (from pink to petal fall)
e) lightbrown apple moth on their land once thirty lightbrown apple moths are caught in any one lightbrown apple moth pheremone trap on their land from 15th December until fruit harvest
on their land from the presence of green tips until fruit maturity/harvest.
Taxonomies
TypeInsects
GroupMoths
HabitatLand
Management ProgrammeSustained Control ProgrammeUnwanted Organism
RulesPlan Rule 19
