What Are Plum Fruit Moths? The Plum Fruit Moth (Grapholita funebrana) lay larvae that are a common pest of Plums, Damsons and Greengages. The female moths lay their eggs near the Plum fruit and once the eggs hatch, the larvae will burrow into the fruit. The caterpillar is of pinkish-white colouring, roughly 10-12mm long, and will eat the Plums from within. This can often mean that infestations, and damage, is not necessarily evident until Plums are cut into. When the caterpillars are fully fed they will exit the plum, leaving a small hole. Infected fruit often ripen prematurely, and caterpillars will leave excrement within the fruit after feeding on it. How Does This Trap Help Combat Plum Fruit Moths? The Dragonfli Plum Fruit Moth Pheromone Trap uses a species specific pheromone lure to catch and trap male Plum Fruit Moths. The Plum Fruit Moths will detect the pheromone and fly into the trap expecting a female Plum Fruit Moth to be present. Moth mating and egg laying will be reduced as a result, and future generations of larvae will be prevented from developing. Moth populations can also be monitored through this trap which will help provide you with an early warning as to their activity. How Do I Set Up The Trap? Each trap is supplied with one long-life pheromone lure. Simply remove the lure from the foil sachet and place it inside the cage area at the top of the trap, which has a small black cover. The Plum Fruit Moth trap supplied by Dragonfli is called a castellation trap where the entry holes on the trap are only big enough for moths. This prevents the capture of larger insects, or small birds, which might fly into a conventional trap by accident. The trap can be filled with water, and a little mild detergent (such as washing up liquid), so that when Plum Fruit Moths enter the trap they will fall into the water and drown. Alternatively you may wish to purchase some Sticky Pads, which can be found here. These are placed at the bottom of the trap to retain and kill the moths caught. Full application instructions are provided on delivery. Where Should I Place The Trap? Hang the trap in, or near, the Plum trees you wish to treat for infestation. How Many Traps Do I Need? One Plum Fruit Moth trap will cover an area of 16 -20 trees. When Should I Use The Trap? Place the traps out by mid-May. The Plum Fruit Moths will normally fly from late May. When Will I Need To Replace The Traps? The trap can be used for years and replacement lures can be purchased for additional coverage. Our Plum Fruit Moth trap is supplied with a long-life pheromone lure. Only one lure is therefore required for the summer season of May to August. A replacement lure should be added in August in order to monitor the presence of a potential second generation of Plum Fruit Moths from August to September. Replacement lures can be purchased separately here. Additional lures may be stored in a fridge or freezer. A pack of replacement small parts for this trap can be found here. Establish Complete Control Over Plum Fruit Moths By Also Using Our Plum Fruit Moth Killer Nematodes If Plum Fruit Moth larvae do develop, nematodes can be used in combination with our pheromone traps to attack each stage of the life cycle. Our most effective treatment, Plum Fruit Moth Killer Nematodes can be found here.
