The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), also known as the railroad worm (but distinct from the Phrixothrix beetle larva, also called railroad worm), is a species of fruit fly, and a pest of several types of fruits, mostly apples. The adult fly is 1/4 inch long, smaller than a common housefly. 1. It has dark markings on the clear wings and a conspicuous white spot where the thorax joins the abdomen. 2. Has three (male) or four (female) white stripes on the abdomen.See full list on extension.umn.eduAdult apple maggots begin to emerge from the soil around July 1, continuing through most of the summer. 1. Adult flies often leave and feed outside the orchard, in wooded or brushy areas. 2. They return to lay eggs just under the skin of apples. 3. Each female fly can lay hundreds of eggs. 4. Once eggs hatch, larvae feed for three to four weeks. 5....See full list on extension.umn.eduSee full list on extension.umn.eduKeep your garden clean1. Frequently pick up and remove any apples that fall during the growing season and after harvest. 2. Put these apples in the trash or send them to a municipal composting site. 3. Do not compost them in your yard. Removing overripe and rotten apples from around your trees can help reduce apple maggot infestations, but it will not prevent apple maggot flies that come in from other areas.Bag applesThis method was developed in western Minnesota and should be used after you thin the fruit in early to mid-June. 1. Enclose each apple in a plastic sandwich bag, either a zipper closure bag or a plain bag closed with staples. 2. Snip the bottom corners off each bag with a pair of scissors to leave a small opening for water to run out. 3. At harvest, remove the bag. Bagging fruit takes extra time, however, the apples are protected from apple maggots for the rest of the season. Bagging is easy...Sticky trapsApple maggot traps are red spheres coated with tanglefoot, a sticky substance that permanently holds insects. They capture apple maggot females that attempt to lay eggs on the fruit.See full list on extension.umn.eduDec 13, 2012 · This small insect can create big problems in apples and other fruits across the United States. Learn safe, natural and organic solutions to get rid of applemaggots here. The apple maggot (AM), a native insect of eastern North America, originally bred in large fruited hawthorns (Crataegus spp.). Later, it adopted apples as another host, and it has become a major fruit pest in the northeastern United States and Canada. · Applemaggots can ruin an entire crop. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the signs and take appropriate preventative measures beforehand in fighting off these pests. Applemaggot flies continue to emerge from the soil throughout the summer and can be active until October. After emerging, the adult applemaggot feeds for 7 to 10 days until it is sexually mature. After mating females lay eggs just under the skin of the host fruit. What is an apple maggot?The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), also known as the railroad worm (but distinct from the Phrixothrix beetle larva, also called railroad worm), is a species of fruit fly, and a pest of several types of fruits, mostly apples.How do I know if my apple tree has maggots?Evidence of apple maggots can be seen as tiny pin pricks, or dimples, in the skin. In addition, affected apples will begin to decay rather quickly, becoming soft and rotten prior to falling from the tree. As the maggots grow and tunnel, you will find the tell-tale brown trails winding throughout the fruit when cut open.How do I get rid of apple maggot flies?Apple maggot fly traps are also available for preventing these pests. These can be purchased from most garden centers or through agricultural suppliers. Apple maggot fly traps are usually set in spring (June) and monitored throughout fall (September). Place one trap in trees less than 8 feet (2 m.) tall and about two to four traps in larger trees.Do apple maggots eat apricots?This small insect can create big problems in apples and other fruits across the United States. Learn safe, natural and organic solutions to get rid of apple maggots here. A destructive pest of commercial and backyard orchards across North America, apple maggots (Rhagoletis pomonella) will also attack plum, apricot, pear, cherry and hawthorn. · Learn about the life cycle, identification, and damage of apple maggots, a major pest of apples and other fruits. Find out how to monitor, trap, and manage them organically with cultural, physical, and biological methods. · This small insect can create big problems in apples and other fruits across the United States. Learn safe, natural and organic solutions to get rid of applemaggots here. The apple maggot (AM), a native insect of eastern North America, originally bred in large fruited hawthorns (Crataegus spp.). Later, it adopted apples as another host, and it has become a major fruit pest in the northeastern United States and Canada. · Applemaggots can ruin an entire crop. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the signs and take appropriate preventative measures beforehand in fighting off these pests. Applemaggot flies continue to emerge from the soil throughout the summer and can be active until October. After emerging, the adult applemaggot feeds for 7 to 10 days until it is sexually mature. After mating females lay eggs just under the skin of the host fruit. · Learn about the life cycle, identification, and damage of apple maggots, a major pest of apples and other fruits. Find out how to monitor, trap, and manage them organically with cultural, physical, and biological methods.
