The Codling Moth has a wingspan of 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The forewing is ash gray with finely striated gray bands and has a large copper-tinged dark brown band at the tip. The larva is pinkish-white with a mottled brown head. When mature it is 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.
This very common moth has been photographed once in late July at Camp Brewster, Fontenelle Forest. The adult moth first emerges in May. It is found where ever apple trees and other fruit trees grow and has become a large pest in apple orchards with the increasingly warmer temperatures of the last ten years. The adult moth is attracted to artificial lights.
The host trees are apple, plum, pear and other stone fruits. The adult lays eggs on the new leaves and young fruits. The young larva enters the fruit and tunnels into the seed capsule. When mature it tunnels back out and leaves holes in the fruit. It winters as a prepupal larva in cocoons in tree bark or leaf litter.
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