Apple-pest
Guides
Aphelinus mali
woolly aphid parasite
Aphelinus mali is a tiny parasitoid wasp in the family Aphelinidae that specializes in attacking the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), a major pest of apple orchards worldwide. Native to the northeastern United States, it has been introduced to numerous apple-growing regions as a biological control agent since 1928. The wasp's life cycle is tightly coupled with its aphid host, with females laying eggs inside living aphids where larvae develop before emerging as adults. It is considered one of the earliest and most successful examples of classical biological control in agriculture.
Aphis pomi
apple aphid, green apple aphid
Aphis pomi, the green apple aphid, is a small sap-sucking insect specialized on pomoideous host plants in the Rosaceae family, particularly apple (Malus domestica). It is autoecious, completing its entire life cycle on a single host species. The species reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis during the growing season, with sexual forms appearing only in autumn to produce overwintering eggs. It is morphologically similar to Aphis spiraecola but can be reliably distinguished by the length of the ultimate rostral segment.
Aphis spiraecola
Spirea aphid, green citrus aphid, apple aphid
Aphis spiraecola is a polyphagous aphid species described by Edith Marion Patch in 1914. It is a significant agricultural pest of citrus, apples, and numerous ornamental plants across temperate and tropical regions worldwide. The species exhibits remarkable host flexibility, colonizing over 65 plant genera across more than 20 families. It reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis across most of its range, with holocyclic populations producing sexual morphs on primary hosts Spiraea and Citrus. The species has displaced native Aphis pomi in some regions and is considered invasive in many areas where it has been introduced.
Archips rosana
Rose Tortrix, Rose Tortrix Moth, Rose Leaf Roller
Archips rosana, the rose tortrix moth, is a leafroller moth in the family Tortricidae distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species is a significant agricultural pest of apple orchards and other fruit crops, with larvae feeding within rolled leaves. Adults are active from May to August, with specific timing varying by location. The species is subject to substantial biological control by parasitoid wasps, with parasitisation rates reaching 24-40% in some populations.
Aristotelia pudibundella
Aristotelia pudibundella is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Zeller in 1873. The species occurs across the southeastern and central United States, with additional records from Haiti, St. Croix, and Quebec. Adults can be distinguished from the similar Aristotelia roseosuffusella by their reduced or absent roseate coloration on the forewings and specific banding patterns. Larvae feed on Malus species and Acacia farnesiana.
Atractotomus mali
Atractotomus mali is a zoophytophagous plant bug in the family Miridae, native to Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) and introduced to North America. First described in 1843, it has become a recognized pest of apple (Malus domestica) in Canadian orchards, particularly in Nova Scotia where it was first documented causing fruit damage in the mid-20th century. The species was first recorded in Quebec in 2014, expanding its known Canadian distribution. Its feeding behavior combines plant and animal matter, though it has been observed causing more damage to fruit than providing predatory benefits in some orchard contexts.
Blastodacna atra
Apple Pith Moth
Blastodacna atra, commonly known as the apple pith moth, is a small moth in the family Elachistidae. It is native to most of Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it has been recorded in Massachusetts and Ontario. The species is notable for its larval habit of mining inside the young shoots of apple trees (Malus species), which can cause localized damage to orchards. Adults are active from May through September in western Europe.
Cacopsylla mali
apple leaf sucker, apple psylla, apple sucker
Cacopsylla mali is a psyllid species in the family Psyllidae, native to Eurasia and introduced to North America. Commonly known as the apple leaf sucker or apple psylla, it is associated with apple (Malus) host plants. The species belongs to the subfamily Psyllinae and is one of several Cacopsylla species involved in apple-associated insect-plant interactions.
Carposina fernaldana ottawana
Carposina fernaldana ottawana is a subspecies of moth in the family Carposinidae. The species Carposina fernaldana is known to occur in Asia and has been intercepted at North American ports of entry on imported goods. This subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the species. The species is associated with Rosaceae hosts, particularly apple.
Dysaphis
Dysaphis is a genus of aphids comprising over 100 species distributed across Europe, North America, and Australia. Species within this genus are primarily associated with dicotyledonous host plants, though some have been recorded on monocots. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly Dysaphis plantaginea (rosy apple aphid), which infests apple orchards. Like other aphids, Dysaphis species maintain an obligate nutritional symbiosis with the bacterium Buchnera, which enables them to subsist on phloem sap by synthesizing essential amino acids.
Eriophyes mali
apple blister mite
Eriophyes mali is a microscopic eriophyid mite and a significant pest of apple orchards. It overwinters behind bud scales and initiates spring migration when midday temperatures exceed 10°C, developing two generations per growing season. The mite induces characteristic blister-like galls on apple leaves through its feeding activity, reducing yield and fruit quality. Field studies in Ukraine have demonstrated that targeted insecto-acaricide applications can reduce mite populations by 72.9–93.3% and improve orchard productivity.
Leucoptera
leaf miners, white-winged moths
Leucoptera is a genus of small moths in the family Lyonetiidae, commonly known as leaf miners. The genus includes several economically important agricultural pests, most notably Leucoptera coffeella (the coffee leaf miner) and Leucoptera malifoliella (the apple leaf miner). Larvae feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines that reduce photosynthetic capacity and can cause significant crop losses. The genus has a global distribution with species associated with diverse host plants including coffee, apple, and other crops.
Lygocoris
green capsid bugs
Lygocoris is a genus of plant-feeding true bugs in the family Miridae, commonly known as green capsid bugs. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed across Eurasia and North America. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly Lygocoris pabulinus (common green capsid), which damages apple and other fruit crops. Species in this genus exhibit host-plant alternation between woody and herbaceous plants, and communicate using species-specific vibrational signals for mate location.
Lygocoris rugicollis
Apple Capsid
Lygocoris rugicollis is a widespread plant-feeding bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the Apple Capsid. Adults are small, yellow, and distinguished by a strongly wrinkled prothorax. The species has a broad geographic range spanning Europe, North Africa, Central Asia, and North America. It is primarily associated with willows and alders but has been reported as an occasional pest on cultivated fruit crops.
Orchestes pallicornis
Apple Flea Weevil, Apple Flea-weevil
Orchestes pallicornis, commonly known as the Apple Flea Weevil, is a weevil species in the family Curculionidae that has become a destructive agricultural pest of apple orchards. The species was extensively studied by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station during the 1910s–1920s due to its significant economic impact. It has been documented as causing serious damage across large areas of Illinois and parts of Ohio. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1832 and continues to be recognized as an accepted species in major taxonomic databases.
Otiorhynchus cribricollis
Cribrate Weevil, Apple Weevil
Otiorhynchus cribricollis, commonly known as the cribrate weevil or apple weevil, is a flightless weevil native to the Mediterranean region. It has been introduced to Western Australia, where it is recognized as a significant pest of apple orchards and vineyards. The species reproduces through parthenogenesis, with all individuals being female. It has also been recorded from North America (USA), though its establishment status there is less documented.
Pholetesor ornigis
Pholetesor ornigis is a braconid parasitoid wasp specialized on Phyllonorycter blancardella, the spotted tentiform leafminer. It is a significant biological control agent in apple orchards. Adult flight peaks occur in mid-June and late August, with males emerging earlier than females. The species demonstrates clear host age discrimination, preferentially parasitizing intermediate instar larvae.
Phyllonorycter blancardella
spotted tentiform leafminer, apple leafminer moth
Phyllonorycter blancardella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, widely distributed across Europe and North America. The species is a significant pest of apple orchards, where larvae create distinctive spotted tentiform mines in leaves. Adults are tiny with variable forewing coloration, often orange or tawny with blackish scaling. The species has two to three generations per year in temperate regions and is subject to complex parasitoid communities that influence its population dynamics.
Phyllonorycter crataegella
Apple Blotch Leafminer Moth
Phyllonorycter crataegella is a microlepidopteran in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the apple blotch leafminer moth. It is a significant pest of apple orchards in northeastern North America, where larvae create blotch mines in leaves. The species exhibits a primarily diurnal activity pattern with sex-specific flight timing: males fly intensely in the morning for mating, while females fly in the afternoon and evening for oviposition. It has three generations per year in its core range, with overwintering adults emerging in spring triggered by accumulated degree-days above 5°C.
Platynota idaeusalis
Tufted Apple Bud Moth
Platynota idaeusalis, the tufted apple bud moth, is a tortricid moth native to eastern North America. It is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of apples in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The species has been documented as a host for both alphabaculovirus and betabaculovirus isolates, making it a subject of biocontrol research. Larvae are known to feed on diverse host plants and have developed resistance to certain organophosphate insecticides.
Prionus laticollis
broad-necked root borer, broad necked prionus
Prionus laticollis, commonly known as the broad-necked root borer, is a large root-boring longhorn beetle native to eastern North America. The species is a significant economic pest of apple orchards, where larvae tunnel through roots causing structural damage to trees. Adults are primarily nocturnal, with males attracted to lights and females using an elongated ovipositor to deposit eggs in soil. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with females substantially larger than males. The life cycle spans 3-4 years, with larvae developing underground while feeding on tree roots.
Pseudexentera mali
pale apple leafroller, pale apple budworm
Pseudexentera mali is a tortricid moth species commonly known as the pale apple leafroller or pale apple budworm. It belongs to the family Tortricidae and was described by Freeman in 1942. The species is an early-season flier and is considered economically important as a pest of apple (Malus). Males are attracted to the sex pheromone component Z,Z-8,10-16:Ac. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 3247.
Rhagoletis pomonella
Apple Maggot, Apple Maggot Fly, Railroad Worm
Rhagoletis pomonella is a tephritid fruit fly native to North America that has undergone a major host shift from native hawthorn to cultivated apple within the last 150 years, making it a primary pest of apple production in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. The species exhibits host race formation, with genetically distinct populations specializing on apple versus hawthorn that show differences in seasonal timing, neurochemistry, and adult eclosion patterns. It has been introduced to the western United States and is subject to intensive monitoring and quarantine efforts due to its economic impact on fruit exports.
Saperda cretata
Spotted Apple Tree Borer
Saperda cretata is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Newman in 1838. It is distributed across Canada and the United States. The species is commonly known as the Spotted Apple Tree Borer, indicating a likely association with apple and related trees in the rose family (Rosaceae). Like other members of the genus Saperda, it is expected to have larvae that bore into wood, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Synanthedon pyri
Apple Bark Borer
Synanthedon pyri, commonly known as the Apple Bark Borer, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. Adults are diurnal and exhibit wasp mimicry, with transparent wings and wasp-like coloration. Larvae are wood-borers that infest the bark and cambium of fruit trees, particularly apple (Malus spp.), causing damage to commercial orchards. The species is native to North America and has been documented as a pest of economic concern in apple-growing regions.
Zonocyba pomaria
White Apple Leafhopper
Zonocyba pomaria is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the White Apple Leafhopper. It was originally described as Typhlocyba pomaria by McAtee in 1926 and later transferred to the genus Zonocyba. The species is recorded from western and central North America. As a member of the subfamily Typhlocybinae, it belongs to a group of leafhoppers often associated with woody plants.