Light Brown Apple Moth
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Light Brown Apple Moth
Scientific Name
Epiphyas postvittana
This moth is causing problems through no fault of its own
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The caterpillars of light brown apple moths feed on grapes, apples, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, oranges, and apples. Unfortunately, their feeding makes it difficult for us to enjoy the fruit, too!
Nate Green
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Light Brown Apple Moth Adult
Adult light brown apple moths are pretty small—about the size of a blueberry!
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Light Brown Apple Moth Eggs
The eggs are light green or yellow and are laid in an overlapping pattern that looks like fish scales. You can usually find eggs on the top of leaves.
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Light Brown Apple Moth Caterpillar
The caterpillars (larvae) will eat big holes in leaves!
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Light Brown Apple Moth Pupa
When they are ready, the caterpillars (larvae) will go through a stage called "pupation", a transformation period where they change into adults. Caterpillars produce silk from special mouth-parts to create a cocoon. They stay in this cocoon as they slowly change into an adult moth!
Light Brown Apple Moth
Meet the Moth
Moths are light yellow-brown, and have a fuzzy abdomen.
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The wings of the adult moths can have many different patterns. See how many different patterns you can spot!
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Watch this caterpillar transform into an adult butterfly!
The Moth's Favorite Fruits
These moths love oranges!
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Grapes are a very important crop grown in parts of California where the light brown apple moth has been found. Larvae spin silken nests between the grapes which makes them rot.
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The light brown apple moth can eat many different types of plants, but apple trees are one of its favorites! The caterpillars chew up apple tree leaves and can damage the surface of the fruit.
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Plants in Trouble I
These brown spots are the result of hungry caterpillars feeding on the fruit.
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Light brown apple moth feeding can cause mold to grow on fruit.
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Plants in Trouble II
Older light brown apple moth caterpillars often fold leaves over themselves to form a protective shelter while they feed, which is why they are called “leaf rollers.”
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Caught in the act! The light brown apple moth caterpillar in the center of this photo has caused feeding damage on these young apples, which will likely make the apples unable to be sold later.
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Light brown apple moth caterpillars eat the tissue between leaf veins, called “skeletonizing,” and roll leaves up tightly with silk cocoons to make shelters.
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