Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 5/12/20

Expect Codling Moth Activity to Pick Up with Return of Warmer Temperatures
The cool temperatures during the past week suppressed insect activity, as evidenced by the very low pheromone trap captures.

However, activity will pick up later in the week with the return of warmer temperatures. The codling moth degree-day (DD) model predicts initial egg hatch to occur at about 250 DD after biofix, which is also the recommended timing of an initial insecticide application in orchards with moderate to high codling moth populations. In orchards with low populations, an application can be delayed until 350 DD. In Henderson County, 250 DD is not expected to occur until May 18. Off the mountain at lower elevations considerably more DD have accumulated. In the Lincoln and Cleveland County areas DD accumulations have reached about 400 DD, which is equivalent to about 10% egg hatch. In these areas, protection of the crops will be important later this week and into next week.

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