WNC Orchard Insect Pest Update - June 17, 2026 - Southern Appalachian Apples

WNC Orchard Insect Pest Update - June 17, 2026

— Written by Jim Walgenbach — Contributors: Stephen Schoof | June 17, 2026 (Updated: June 18, 2026, 12:39 p.m.)

Higher elevation orchards are between codling moth generations, while the second generation begins to emerge in lower elevations.

In Henderson County and similar elevations, codling moth degree-day (DD) accumulations are at 1017, which coincides with almost 100% egg hatch of the first generation. At these elevations there is a low threat posed by direct pests and this is a good time to avoid unnecessary insecticide sprays. However, we are in that period when several secondary pests, including European red mite, leafhoppers, aphids, and potentially woolly apple aphid, can be potential concerns. Since these pests are sporadic in occurrence, scouting and spraying on an as-needed basis can avoid unnecessary applications.

In Cleveland County and similar elevations, codling moth DD accumulations are about 1350, which coincides with early emergence of second generation adults. In orchards where first generation codling moth has not posed a problem and where mating disruption is not being used, a single application between about 1400 and 1450 DD provides insurance against the second generation. It is unlikely that sprays are needed in orchards using mating disruption, but pheromone trap captures should be the basis of all decisions.

Learn more about southeastern apple insect pests at the Apple Insect Management page.

2026 Average Weekly Trap Captures - Henderson County

	Insects per trap
Insect	May 11	May 18	May 26	Jun 1	Jun 8	Jun 15
Codling moth	0.5	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.5
Oriental fruit moth	8.0	2.0	2.5	5.0	2.0	0.5
Tufted apple bud moth	8.0	7.0	10.0	9.0	7.0	0.0
Redbanded leafroller	1.0	1.0	2.0	3.0	1.0	0.0
Obliquebanded leafroller	0.0	1.0	1.0	2.0	0.0	0.0
Lesser appleworm	6.0	3.0	5.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Apple maggot (unsprayed/research)	set	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Apple maggot (abandoned orchard)	-	set	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Brown marmorated stink bug (commercial)	0.8	1.3	0.2	0.6	0.3	0.1
Brown marmorated stink bug (unsprayed/research)	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	2.0	1.0
Spotted tentiform leafminer	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Dogwood borer	37.0	67.0	92.0	70.0	63.0	23.0
Peachtree borer	0.0	5.0	1.0	22.0	15.0	5.0
Lesser peachtree borer	38.0	40.0	52.0	45.0	38.0	27.0
San Jose scale	2.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
*Note that these averages illustrate only the timing of insect emergence and fluctuations in populations, and are not representative of population levels in any given orchard. The only way to have an accurate assessment of an individual orchard’s populations is to set up traps in that orchard.

2026 Degree Days - MHCRS (Mills River)

	Accumulated Degree Days
Insect	Jun 1	Jun 8	Jun 15
Codling moth (Biofix Apr 11)	665	776	947
Oriental fruit moth (Biofix Mar 21)	1167	1312	1519
Tufted apple bud moth (Biofix Apr 17)	766	911	1181

About degree-day models

Degree-day (DD) models predict adult emergence and egg hatch of each generation. They do not predict the intensity of populations, which can be assessed by using pheromone traps. Hence, the models should be used to help gauge the time period when control is most likely needed, and pheromone traps provide information on the need for and frequency of insecticide applications. For full details, read “IPM Practices for Selected Pests” in the Orchard Management Guide.

Codling Moth:

1st generation: Egg hatch begins at about 350 DD after biofix and is completed by 1050 DD. The most critical period for insecticidal control is from 350 to about 750 DD.
2nd generation: Egg hatch of the second generation can extend from about 1300 to 2600 DD after biofix, but the most critical period for insecticidal control is 1400 to about 2500 DD.
3rd generation: Adults begin to emerge at about 2500 DD after biofix, but the model is less accurate in predicting late-season populations.

Oriental Fruit Moth:

1st generation: Only one insecticide application between 400 and 500 degree days is usually necessary, as 1st generation egg-laying is usually low on apple.
2nd generation: Effective 1st-generation control may eliminate the need for 2nd-generation control. If trap captures remain high, insecticides may be needed around 1100 to 1400 DD.
3rd generation: Insecticide may be needed at 2200 DD after biofix.
4th generation: Overlapping generations late in the season make it difficult to predict when 4th-generation egg hatch begins, but continuous egg-laying can occur from August through October. Use traps to determine the need for further insecticide applications.

Tufted Apple Bud Moth:

1st generation: One well-timed insecticide application between 800 and 1200 DD after biofix will often eliminate the need for further control of TABM.
2nd generation: Only if trap captures exceed 25 moths per trap by 2600 DD is an insecticide application recommended. NOTE: Insecticides targeting 2nd generation TABM are usually not necessary if 1st generation populations were successfully controlled.