Apple Web Moths produce an army of ravenous larvae, well protected by tent-like webs. Without immediate countermeasures, there is a risk of the apple tree becoming bare. This guide is packed with practical tips for non-toxic biological control.
The apple spider moth cannot be overlooked
Immediate measures - tips & tricks
Biological control measures with immediate effect target the insatiable larvae of the apple spider moth. The caterpillars are 18 to 25 mm long, yellowish-green, slightly hairy and dotted with black. Legs and head capsule are dark brown to black. In April, the binge begins on the leaves, buds and blossoms of the apple tree. From the middle of May, the characteristic, bright webs appear, under the protection of which the rabble is up to mischief. Take immediate action with these manual countermeasures:
- Spread foil under the infested apple tree
- Shake the small tree vigorously
- Spray down a large tree with a hard jet of water
- Collect fallen larvae and webs using the foil
Please dispose of the pests in the household waste and not on the compost. You can cut out isolated webs from the crown of the tree and also throw them in the garbage can.
Engage beneficial insects - predators versus spider crab moths
In the course of manual emergency measures, you can never be sure that you have caught all the malware. We therefore recommend the use of beneficial insects as a second step in combating them. A number of predators of the apple spider moth are already on site in the natural house garden. If necessary, you can increase the population and purchase additional beneficial insects from specialist retailers:
- Ichneumonidae and chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea) parasitize the larvae
- Assassin bug species hunt the caterpillars
- Caterpillar flies (Tachinidae) lay their eggs in the moth larvae, which then die
It is important to note that many beneficial insects are on the move as specialists. For example, the parasitic wasps of the species Trichogramma cacoeciae parasitize the caterpillars of the codling moth, but disdain the brood of codling moths. When purchasing beneficial insects, please ask exactly which pests they specialize in.
Refuges with hiding places in the garden ensure that other beneficial insects arrive and the existing population does not migrate. Heaps of leaves, green dry stone walls, wild fruit hedges and a rustic Benjes hedge invite the useful insects to linger so that they can hunt down the caterpillars of the apple spider moth.
tips
In the period from early/mid-April to mid-May, apple spider moth larvae devote themselves almost unprotected to the leaves and blossoms in the apple tree. During this phase, spray the crown repeatedly with soapy water, the proven biological control agent. You can make the home remedy yourself or buy it ready-made. As a positive side effect, you can fight other pests such as aphids, spider mites or scale insects with soap solution at the same time.