Pest identification
What's eating my pink lady apple?
Codling moth
Signs: Caterpillar tunnels into fruit core; pin-hole entry surrounded by frass; internal rotting
Control: Hang pheromone traps late May; spray codling moth granulosis virus from petal fall through summer; remove and destroy fallen fruit
Woolly aphid
Signs: White cottony colonies on stems and around wounds; structural galls; entry points for canker
Control: Physical removal with soapy brush; plant-oil-based insecticide spray; encourage natural predators and avoid killing earwigs
Birds and wasps
Signs: Pecked skin and hollowed fruit as the colourful late-season crop ripens; splits attract wasps
Control: Net individual branches or whole tree if small; harvest promptly when ripe; remove fallen fruit same day
Rabbits
Signs: Bark gnawed at ground level in winter, potentially ring-barking young trees
Control: Fit spiral plastic rabbit guards or wire mesh guards around trunk from planting; remove and refit as tree grows
Keep pink lady apple pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pink Lady Apple pests — FAQ
What is eating my pink lady apple?
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink) is a late-season apple ripe in October–November, giving pests a long season to build up. Codling moth and woolly aphid are the main threats. Its thin skin makes it attractive to birds and wasps as it colours up. Young trees are vulnerable to rabbit and deer damage in winter.
How do I get rid of codling moth on pink lady apple?
Caterpillar tunnels into fruit core; pin-hole entry surrounded by frass; internal rotting Hang pheromone traps late May; spray codling moth granulosis virus from petal fall through summer; remove and destroy fallen fruit
How do I get rid of woolly aphid on pink lady apple?
White cottony colonies on stems and around wounds; structural galls; entry points for canker Physical removal with soapy brush; plant-oil-based insecticide spray; encourage natural predators and avoid killing earwigs
How do I get rid of birds and wasps on pink lady apple?
Pecked skin and hollowed fruit as the colourful late-season crop ripens; splits attract wasps Net individual branches or whole tree if small; harvest promptly when ripe; remove fallen fruit same day
How do I get rid of rabbits on pink lady apple?
Bark gnawed at ground level in winter, potentially ring-barking young trees Fit spiral plastic rabbit guards or wire mesh guards around trunk from planting; remove and refit as tree grows