Fruit-tree-pest
Guides
Abagrotis orbis
well-marked cutworm, Barnes' climbing cutworm
Abagrotis orbis is a noctuid moth commonly known as the well-marked cutworm or Barnes' climbing cutworm. First described by Grote in 1876, this species occurs across southwestern North America with a notable disjunct population in the southern Great Lakes dune habitats. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae are recognized as orchard pests that feed on flowers of fruit trees.
Cacopsylla
jumping plant lice, pear psyllids
Cacopsylla is a genus of jumping plant lice (family Psyllidae) comprising species that are significant agricultural pests, particularly of fruit trees. The genus includes most psyllids within subfamily Psyllinae that cause economic damage to orchards. Several species act as vectors for phytoplasma-associated diseases including Apple Proliferation, European Stone Fruit Yellows, and Pear Decline. Phylogenetic studies reveal two major clades that diverged in the Miocene, with Clade I predominantly univoltine species that overwinter on conifers. Vector competence has evolved independently rather than through shared ancestry.
Caliroa cerasi
pear slug, cherry slug, cherry slimy sawfly
Caliroa cerasi, commonly known as the pear slug or cherry slug, is a sawfly (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) whose larvae are significant pests of stone and pome fruit trees. The species exhibits a complex life cycle with bivoltine and univoltine generations, and populations can shift between deuterotokous (producing both sexes) and thelytokous (female-only) parthenogenesis during outbreak cycles. Native to Europe, it has spread to multiple continents including North America, Asia, and Australasia. While capable of causing serious defoliation, it is generally considered a secondary pest in intensive orchards due to susceptibility to insecticides.
Hoplocampa
fruit sawflies, apple sawflies, plum sawflies
Hoplocampa is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, comprising approximately 20 described species distributed primarily across the West Palaearctic. The genus includes several economically significant pests of fruit trees, notably Hoplocampa testudinea (European apple sawfly) and H. flava (plum sawfly). Females oviposit into flowers, and larvae develop within developing fruitlets, causing characteristic damage. Many species reproduce parthenogenetically.
Hysteroneura setariae
Rusty Plum Aphid
Hysteroneura setariae is a cosmopolitan aphid species known primarily as the Rusty Plum Aphid. It feeds on grasses and fruit trees, with documented associations including Muhlenbergia capillaris and various Prunus species. The species has been recorded across six continents, with particularly dense populations observed in urban park settings in Japan. It serves as prey for generalist predators including Coccinella septempunctata.
Lepidosaphes ulmi
oystershell scale, apple mussel scale
Lepidosaphes ulmi, commonly known as the oystershell scale or apple mussel scale, is a widely distributed armored scale insect in the family Diaspididae. It is a significant pest of deciduous trees and woody plants, including major fruit crops such as apples, pears, plums, and peaches. The species causes damage by attaching to bark and sucking sap, potentially killing branches or entire trees under heavy infestation. It has been introduced to many regions worldwide beyond its native range and is considered invasive in numerous countries.
Pandemis cerasana
barred fruit-tree tortrix
Pandemis cerasana is a tortricid moth native to northern Eurasia, introduced to North America where it was first recorded in Victoria, British Columbia in 1964. The species is a polyphagous leaf roller whose larvae feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs, with notable damage to fruit trees including cherry, apple, and pear. Adults fly from June to August in western Europe, with two generations per year.
Panonychus ulmi
European red mite, fruit tree red spider mite, apple red spider mite
Panonychus ulmi, the European red mite, is a major agricultural pest of deciduous fruit trees with global economic significance. The species exhibits a high reproductive rate and short generation time of approximately 21 days at 20°C, enabling multiple broods per year. It possesses a cosmopolitan distribution spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Australasia. First described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1836, this spider mite is particularly damaging to apple orchards and grapevines.
Scolytus mali
larger shothole borer, apple bark beetle, large fruit bark beetle
Scolytus mali is a bark beetle native to Europe that has become invasive in North America. It is commonly known as the larger shothole borer or apple bark beetle, reflecting its association with fruit trees. The species exhibits brief maturation feeding on living but weakened apple trees before aggregating for breeding in response to female-produced pheromones. Both sexes possess a well-developed gular-prosternal stridulatory apparatus and produce characteristic double chirps through head movement, with distinct acoustic differences between stress and attraction signals.
Scolytus rugulosus
shothole borer, fruit tree bark beetle, apple tree beetle
Scolytus rugulosus is a bark beetle in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the shothole borer or apple tree beetle. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to the Americas and North Asia. It is a pest of stone and pome fruit trees in the family Rosaceae, where it tunnels beneath the bark to complete its life cycle.
Siphoninus phillyreae
ash whitefly
Siphoninus phillyreae, commonly known as the ash whitefly, is a polyphagous whitefly species native to western Eurasia, India, and North Africa. It has been introduced to North America, South America, and Oceania, where it is recognized as a significant agricultural pest. The species feeds on a broad range of host plants including ash, pomegranate, apple, pear, and other fruit trees. Encarsia inaron is a primary parasitoid used for its biological control.
Swammerdamia pyrella
Little Ermel, Rufous-tipped Swammerdamia Moth
A small ermine moth (Yponomeutidae) with a wingspan of 10–13 mm, distributed across Europe, North America, and Japan. Adults fly in two generations from late April to August. Larvae feed on Rosaceae fruit trees, initially mining leaves then feeding externally while tying leaf edges with silk to form protective 'boats'. The species serves as host to a diverse parasitoid community and is subject to significant natural biological control.
Tolype velleda
Large Tolype Moth, Velleda Lappet Moth
A medium-sized lappet moth with broad, rounded wings. Adults display dark gray forewings with distinct wavy transverse bands and white lines visible when wings are spread. Females are noticeably larger than males. The species has a broad distribution across eastern North America with disjunct populations in western mountain ranges and the Mediterranean region. Single-brooded, with adults active from early summer through late autumn.