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Apple blossom weevil

Apple blossom weevil; the 3 mm large Xkefresh occur on apple trees. The beetles lay their eggs in the flower buds.

recognize Apple Blossom Weevil
Apple Blossom Weevil, photo: AfroBrazilian - CC BY-SA 4.0

Apple blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum). These 3 mm large beetle occur on apple trees. The beetle suck plant sap from the blossom and lay eggs (one egg per flower) in the flower buds. After more than a week the larva appears and feeds on the ovary of the bud and after several weeks pupates in the empty flower bud. The beetle eats its way out of the flower bud, then the remains of the bud wither.
The apple blossom weevil hibernates under loose pieces of bark.
Damage from apple blossom weevil – especially in years with poor flowering – can be extensive. In the past, the apple blossom weevil was considered useful because it provides natural fruit thinning.

Where to find

Control

Tricky to to control; as soon as small holes become visible in the petals, check for apple blossom weevil larvae and remove them.
Affected blossoms of apple trees in vegetable and ornamental gardens are best cut away. Inside the desiccated flower buds is the larva or beetle. By removing the affected blossoms, fewer apple blossom weevils will be found on the apple tree the following year.

Prevention

Provide a bird-friendly environment: birds eat insects including the apple blossom beetle.

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