Lacanobia fruitworm

Lacanobia fruitworm caterpillars tunnel into developing stone fruits and pome fruits during May and June, creating distinctive holes with darkened edges in affected fruit. The caterpillars are pale to greenish and grow to about 1 inch long. Early infestations cause fruit drop or create deep tunneling damage that renders fruit unmarketable. You detect damage by examining young fruit in late April and early May.

Scout fruit clusters in late April and early May for evidence of small caterpillars or entry punctures. Remove infested fruit by hand during early detection. For heavy populations, apply spinosad or biological insecticides targeting the larval stage before fruit damage progresses. Time applications to late April. Eliminate nearby wild host plants where practical.