Damage symptoms of apple blossom weevil
Typical symptoms of apple blossom weevil damage include:
- Brown, unopened flower buds ("capped blossoms")
- Damaged flower clusters
- Reduced blossom numbers
- Poor fruit set
- Lower yield potential
What is apple blossom weevil?
The apple blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum) is an important early-season pest of apple orchards. Adult weevils emerge before flowering and feed on developing buds before laying eggs inside unopened flower buds. The larvae develop within the buds, preventing blossoms from opening and reducing fruit set. Heavy infestations can significantly impact yield, particularly in orchards with high pest pressure.
- Easy to use
- Minimal resistance
- No chemical residues
- No pre-harvest intervals
Learn more about
Life cycle of apple blossom weevil
Overwintering
Adult apple blossom weevils overwinter beneath loose bark, in leaf litter, hedgerows, and other sheltered locations around the orchard.
Spring activity
As temperatures increase in early spring, adults become active and feed on swelling buds. Females lay a single egg inside unopened flower buds before sealing the opening.
Development
Larvae develop inside the flower buds, feeding on floral tissues and preventing the blossoms from opening. After pupation, new adults emerge in late spring or early summer and feed on foliage before seeking overwintering sites later in the season.
Management of apple blossom weevil
Monitoring apple blossom weevil
Regular monitoring before and during flowering is essential for early detection and timely interventions. Inspect orchards for:
- Adult weevils on branches and developing buds
- Feeding damage on swelling buds
- Brown or unopened flower buds
- Reduced blossom development
Monitor temperature and bud development stage:
- Adult weevils become active when temperatures exceed 10-12°C
- Peak egg-lying typically occurs during tight-cluster to pink-bud phenological stages
- Begin monitoring and scouting 2-3 weeks before expected flowering based on local growing conditions
Monitoring adult activity helps determine pest pressure and supports timely management decisions.
Biological control of apple blossom weevil
Biological control gives growers a practical way to reduce apple blossom weevil pressure by using natural enemies. Beneficial nematodes can be applied to the foliage to target the pest during its vulnerable stages. Once applied, these nematodes actively seek out and infect the weevil larvae, helping to bring populations down in a sustainable way.
