What's eating my quince 'leskovac'?

Quince 'Leskovac' faces fire blight as its gravest threat — the bacterial disease scorches shoots and can kill entire trees if unchecked. Codling moth larvae tunnel into fruit, and quince leaf blight causes early defoliation. Aphids also attack spring growth. Vigilant sanitation and prompt pruning of blighted wood are essential.

Shoot tips and blossom clusters blacken and wilt as if scorched; infection spreads into branches with a distinctive shepherd's crook curve. Prune infected wood at least 30 cm below the visible infection in dry weather; sterilize tools between cuts with bleach solution; avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer.

Caterpillar bores into developing fruit, leaving frass-filled tunnels and causing premature fruit drop. Hang pheromone traps from petal fall to monitor and reduce male moth populations; use codling moth granulovirus spray; collect and destroy fallen fruit promptly.

Dark red spots on leaves and young fruit; heavily infected leaves yellow and drop early, weakening the tree. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves; prune for good air circulation; copper-based fungicide sprays at bud burst in high-risk years.

Dense colonies on new shoots in spring; shoot tip curling and distortion; honeydew leads to sooty mold on foliage. Encourage predators (lacewings, ladybirds); pinch out infested shoot tips; apply insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil spray if colonies are heavy.