Plum Moth
Grapholita funebrana
Plum Moth
Photo by Donald Hobern (CC BY 4.0)
Love plants? So do we.
Download the app to see more photos from the Candide community.
1 of 5
Photo by Donald Hobern (CC BY 4.0)
Love plants? So do we.
Download the app to see more photos from the Candide community.
1 of 5
Grapholita funebrana is most damaging when larvae and they'll damage many species in the Prunus genus. Fruit will start to ripen faster than usual, and if cut open, you can sometimes find the larvae inside or dark excrement from where they have been feeding. They leave holes in the fruit, often causing a brown liquid to ooze from the wound and ultimately, make fruits inedible.
Free download for your phone or tablet
Traits
Larvae feed on Prunus species and can make fruit inedible.
These moths can help support a variety of bird and bat species.
Appearance
Adults: Mature moths are only around a centimetre long with a wingspan of 15mm. Their wings are brown with black mottled markings.
Larvae: The grub-like caterpillars are a light red or pink or sometimes yellow with brown heads.
Symptoms
Fruit ripening quicker than normal.
Premature fruit fall.
Can see the larvae in the fruit when cut open.
Discolouring of fruits.
Emergence holes in fallen fruits.
Oozy dark liquid emerging from fruits.
Activity
Crepuscular
Personality
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Tortricidae
Metamorphosis
Complete
Distribution
Europe, North Africa and Asia
Biological treatment
If you notice fruits are discoloured, and they seem too soft or small when it's too early in the year for ripening, then they should be picked off and disposed of in the landfill waste.
Attracts
Free download for your phone or tablet
Plant Knowledge
Search our ever-growing knowledge base to find plants and information. Find out about pests and diseases you should be keeping an eye out for. Watch How to videos or follow step by step guides for tasks in the garden.
Free download for your phone or tablet.
