The pink worm you've discovered inside your pear is most likely the caterpillar of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella). This is the most common "worm" found infesting apples and pears. While typically creamy white, these caterpillars can sometimes take on a pinkish hue as they mature, especially before they are ready to pupate.
Understanding the Codling Moth Caterpillar
The codling moth is a significant pest for fruit trees, particularly pears and apples. Its caterpillars are responsible for the "wormy" fruit often seen in home orchards. They bore into the fruit shortly after hatching, feeding on the core and surrounding flesh, which leads to damaged, often unusable fruit.
A key aspect of their life cycle is that significant injury to fruit usually comes from the second generation of these moths, which typically emerges and begins its activity in early summer. This timing is crucial for effective management.
Signs of Codling Moth Infestation
Recognizing the signs of codling moth activity early can help protect your pear crop.
| Sign of Infestation | Description |
|---|---|
| Entry Holes | Small, pin-prick sized holes on the fruit surface, often near the stem or calyx (blossom end). |
| Frass (Excrement) | Sawdust-like, reddish-brown droppings often seen extruding from entry holes or within the fruit. |
| Tunneling | Internal damage where the caterpillar has burrowed towards and fed on the fruit's core. |
| Premature Fruit Drop | Infested fruit may drop from the tree prematurely. |
| Visible Larvae | The "worm" itself, which is a caterpillar about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, white to pinkish with a dark head. |
Managing Codling Moths in Your Orchard
Effective management of codling moths involves a combination of cultural practices and timely interventions to reduce their populations and prevent damage to your fruit.
- Sanitation:
- Regularly collect and destroy all fallen and infested fruit from under your trees. This removes caterpillars before they can complete their development and prevents them from returning to the soil to overwinter.
- Remove any loose bark from the tree trunk, as this can serve as a hiding spot for overwintering cocoons.
- Monitoring with Traps:
- Use pheromone traps to monitor adult moth activity. These traps attract male moths and help you determine when moths are flying and laying eggs, which guides the timing of control measures.
- Trunk Banding:
- Wrap corrugated cardboard bands around tree trunks in early summer. Caterpillars seeking pupation sites will often hide in the cardboard. Remove and destroy these bands in late summer or fall to eliminate overwintering larvae.
- Exclusion:
- For smaller trees or individual fruit, consider bagging developing fruit with specialty fruit protection bags or paper sacks. This creates a physical barrier against egg-laying moths.
- Biological Control:
- Encourage natural predators such as lacewings, predatory mites, and parasitic wasps, which can help control codling moth populations.
- Pesticide Application (if necessary):
- If pest pressure is high, insecticides can be used. Timing is critical, usually targeting the eggs or newly hatched larvae before they bore into the fruit. Consult local agricultural extension resources for recommended products and application timings. For more detailed information on managing codling moths, you can refer to resources from university extensions, such as this guide on Codling Moth Management.
By understanding the codling moth's life cycle and implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the incidence of "wormy" pears and enjoy a healthier harvest.
