Light Brown Apple Moth
Light Brown Apple Moth
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!
Moths are light yellow-brown and have a fuzzy abdomen.
The wings of the adult moths can have many different patterns. See how many different patterns you can spot!
These moths love oranges!
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 the grapes rot.
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.
These brown spots are the result of hungry caterpillars feeding on the fruit.
Light brown apple moth feeding can cause mold to grow on fruit.
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.”
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.
Light brown apple moth caterpillars eat the tissue between leaf veins, called “skeletonizing,” and roll leaves up tightly with silk cocoons to make shelters.
