Apple maggot? - Ask Extension
Is this signs of apple maggot?
The fruit is just setting, seems very early, but it looks like maggot to me. I am in the process of bagging and thinni...
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Apple maggot? #642072
Asked May 27, 2020, 6:57 PM EDT
Is this signs of apple maggot?
The fruit is just setting, seems very early, but it looks like maggot to me. I am in the process of bagging and thinning. Trying to save as many as I can.
I do have a crabapple tree that I use for cross pollination, could this be a factor in the proliferation of the pests?
Any suggestions on mitigation?
Should I snip unbagged fruit?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Unfortunately, apple maggot is only one in a list of apple pests. Two possibilities - pests that get into the apple at an earlier stage - are plum curculio and coddling moth. I do not know what you have (probably not apple maggot, since it is too early), but you can monitor for the pest and treat accordingly.
Read here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples#insects-and-other-creatures-1143610
https://extension.psu.edu/tree-fruit-insect-pest-plum-curculio
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/codling-moths
I doubt if the crabapple has anything to do with this. And it is a good idea to remove apples that you are not bagging (if you can reach them). Besides reducing the insect load, thinning makes the fruit you don't thin bigger.
Read here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-apples#insects-and-other-creatures-1143610
https://extension.psu.edu/tree-fruit-insect-pest-plum-curculio
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/codling-moths
I doubt if the crabapple has anything to do with this. And it is a good idea to remove apples that you are not bagging (if you can reach them). Besides reducing the insect load, thinning makes the fruit you don't thin bigger.
