Apple Maggot

Apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella, also known as the "railroad worm," is abundant in untreated orchards and backyard trees. Although adults are found above treatment thresholds in a third of the commercial orchards in Pennsylvania, use of broad-spectrum insecticides in July and August prevents injury.

Description and life cycle
The adult fly is black, about the size of a house fly, with three or four white stripes across the body in the males and females, respectively, and has a prominent white spot in the middle of the back. The wings are clear, with four black bands shaped somewhat like the letter "F." Maggots are white and legless and reach about 1/4 inch at maturity. Pupae resemble a grain of wheat.

For more information, please see this Penn State Tree Fruit Production Guide Web page.

Penn State Horticulture Department

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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