Pest identification
What's eating my quince vranja?
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella)
Signs: Larvae bore into developing fruit, creating frass-filled tunnels; fruit drops prematurely or rots
Control: Pheromone traps to time sprays; codling moth granulosis virus spray at egg hatch; sticky cardboard trunk bands to trap larvae
Aphids
Signs: Curled, sticky new leaves in spring; reduced shoot vigour
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray as buds break; encourage natural predators
Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)
Signs: Sunken, corky, discoloured patches in flesh beneath apparently intact skin
Control: Hand-pick adults; exclusion netting over fruit; seal building entry points to prevent overwintering indoors (US)
Rabbits and deer
Signs: Bark gnawed at base in winter (rabbits); shoots and leaves browsed (deer)
Control: Tree guards on trunk; deer fencing at least 8 ft tall; wire guards around base for rabbit protection
Keep quince vranja pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Quince Vranja pests — FAQ
What is eating my quince vranja?
Quince Vranja is most seriously damaged by codling moth larvae tunnelling inside the large fragrant fruit. Quince leaf blight (Diplocarpon mespili) is a bigger overall threat than pests, but aphids, scale insects, and brown marmorated stink bug also cause damage. Deer and rabbits browse young shoots. The fragrant ripe fruit attracts wasps in autumn.
How do I get rid of codling moth (cydia pomonella) on quince vranja?
Larvae bore into developing fruit, creating frass-filled tunnels; fruit drops prematurely or rots Pheromone traps to time sprays; codling moth granulosis virus spray at egg hatch; sticky cardboard trunk bands to trap larvae
How do I get rid of aphids on quince vranja?
Curled, sticky new leaves in spring; reduced shoot vigour Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray as buds break; encourage natural predators
How do I get rid of brown marmorated stink bug (halyomorpha halys) on quince vranja?
Sunken, corky, discoloured patches in flesh beneath apparently intact skin Hand-pick adults; exclusion netting over fruit; seal building entry points to prevent overwintering indoors (US)
How do I get rid of rabbits and deer on quince vranja?
Bark gnawed at base in winter (rabbits); shoots and leaves browsed (deer) Tree guards on trunk; deer fencing at least 8 ft tall; wire guards around base for rabbit protection