Navel Orangeworm and Carob Moth

Navel orangeworm and carob moth have similar behavior and look almost identical. Adult moths have a snoutlike projection at the front of the head. Moths can have silver and black forewings and legs or wings can be cinnamon brown and black.

About two nights after emergence, females begin laying eggs next to wounds or rotten spots in the fruit. Newly hatched larvae are reddish orange and later vary from milky white to pink with a reddish-brown head capsule. Distinguish both navel orangeworm and carob moth larvae from similar looking caterpillars such as oriental fruit moth by looking for a pair of crescent-shaped markings on the second segment behind their head. Pupae are light to dark brown, encased in a woven cocoon in the fruit or calyx. There are three to four adult flight periods per year. The larvae overwinter in old fruit, either in trees or on the ground.

The pupal stage is the best time to differentiate the carob moth from the navel orangeworm. Carob moth pupae have a raised dark ridge near the head and two short spines on each abdominal segment, which are lacking in the navel orangeworm.

Navel orangeworm and carob moth rarely attack healthy pomegranate fruit, but if numbers are high, such as for orchards near almonds or pistachios, damage can be serious. So far, damage has only been reported in early varieties such as Early Foothill. In adjacent Wonderful orchards, only occasional damage has been noted.

Moths prefer to lay eggs on damaged fruit; larvae typically enter through cracks, rotten spots, or wounds caused by other pests such as omnivorous leafroller. However, larvae hatching from eggs laid on the seam where two calyx petals touch have been observed entering the calyx. Feeding inside the calyx sometimes leads to rot.

Navel orangeworm and carob moth produce more silk and frass than leafrollers and may be found with more than one worm in the same feeding tunnel. Neither navel orangeworm nor carob moth is common in pomegranates.

Remove unharvested fruit from the trees and disc into the soil to reduce overwintering moth numbers and prevent populations from establishing.

Monitor flights with pheromone lures. Egg traps can also be used; place them out in the orchard the first week of April.

1. Use black egg traps baited with almond presscake filled half- to three-quarters-full. Change bait every 4 weeks.
2. Place 1 trap per every 10 acres, for at least 4 traps per orchard. Choose trees that are at least 5 trees in from the edge of the orchard. Hang traps at head height on the north side of trees.
3. Monitor traps, counting and recording egg numbers. Remove eggs as you monitor.

In orchards with high moth numbers or a history of damage, apply an insecticide during egg hatch before fruit ripening. Use an insecticide with a long residual during hatching, activity against adult moths, or both.