apple tree infestation

[andy2014]

Hi,

What's this cute thing on my apple tree? I tried stuff from Homebase but is not working
Thx

[wellywoo]

I can't see the picture clearly but they look like ladybird larvae to me


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[veggiechicken]

Hello Andy - welcome to the Grapevine.
I can't see any "infestation" in your photos - just one little creature that may well be a ladybird larvae.
If it is, its doing you a favour, no reason at all to try to kill it. As a general rule, there's no point in using any poisons on your plants unless you know what you are treating - and even then, there may be better, alternatives.

[FB.]

The 'lumpy' black thing in the first picture is a ladybird larva.
The black specks under the leaves are the dead bodies of aphids which ladybird/hoverfly/lacewing larvae will have been sucking the contents out of.

No need to take any action.

[andy2014]

Thx guys..I was thinking this is the reason all my apples fell from the tree and were rotten. I showed the pictures to a prof at nearest garden shop and he advised me about bug killer. So I'm still in the dark why all my fruits were out of order?

[FB.]

Thx guys..I was thinking this is the reason all my apples fell from the tree and were rotten. I showed the pictures to a prof at nearest garden shop and he advised me about bug killer. So I'm still in the dark why all my fruits were out of order?

The most likely reasons for fruit to rot are:

scab - a fungus which causes splits in the skin, allowing other fungi to rot the flesh of the fruit.

brown rot - a fungus which invades bruises, scratches or bug damage on the fruit.

codling maggot - tunnels into the fruit, with fungi often gaining entry through the hole the maggot left

wasps/ants/earwigs/woodlice - chew holes in the skin, allowing fungal rots to gain entry

bitter pit - a nutrient imbalance

Any pictures of the fruit?
Do you know the variety and the rootstock it's grafted onto? Is it potted or in the ground?

The reasons for fruit 'rot' are so numerous that you need to know what caused it if you want to try to stop it.

[Martin H]

Round here, the codling moths have been dreadful this year and taken most of the apples in my garden and on my allotment. Many have fallen early, many of the rest have started to rot because of the damage.

I'm blaming last year's mild winter but taking no action for next year other than general garden hygeine to minimise places for the caterpillars to hide over winter. That, and crossing my fingers.

[andy2014]

Thx again guys...I do not know the rootstock, I moved in last year and the garden was in a poooor condition. I only managed this summer to clean the mess and be ready for next year to do a proper job. So I don't have any knowledge about apple tree history
but is my only one and I really care for it. No picture of the fruits, have fallen early. The tree is in the ground...in other word how could I find the reason or do I need to take action on winter time?

[FB.]

No picture of the fruits, have fallen early. The tree is in the ground...in other word how could I find the reason or do I need to take action on winter time?

It's just random guesses trying to identify the problem unless you have pictures (so we can see the problem) or unless you know the variety of apple (some varieties are known to suffer certain problems).

The best I could suggest would be:
1. remove all rotten fruit (on the tree or on the ground) promptly.
2. do not prune the tree this winter.
3. do not feed the tree this winter.
4. use 'pheromone' traps to catch codling moths next spring and summer.
5. any fruit affected next year should be removed, photographed and posted on here (are you sure there aren't any fruit at all around to take pictures - anything would be better than nothing)
6. investigate what type of soil you have, and your subsoil

The only thing you haven't then covered is scab*. If the variety is prone to scab you're fighting a losing battle because they need spraying within a few hours after most damp/wet/misty/foggy spells (known as 'Mills periods' - run an internet search for 'Mills Table').

*
There is not much evidence of scab on the leaves, so it's less likely that scab was the primary cause, although some varieties are more prone to fruit scab and some more prone to leaf scab.

[andy2014]

Appreciate your help FB. Unfortunately I have cleaned all fallen fruits on the floor. I'll follow your tips thx