Bio-ecology of codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) damaging apple in Kargil district of Ladakh region

Bio-ecological study of codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) was conducted in Kargil district of ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir State. Frequent visits were made in different apple growing areas of Kargil district during the crop period to observe the various stages of codling moth with their duration in relation to the crop phenology. Total five locations were selected and from each location randomly 20 plants were closely observed for the collection of different instar larva, pupa and pupal exuviae to determine the duration of different stages of codling moth under field condition. The time of adult emergence was determined by counting the pupal shell below the dead bark. It was observed that the emergence of C. pomonella take place in the month of May -June when the size of apple fruit is about 1.0 to 1.5 cm diameter. Mated female laid the eggs singly on developing fruits (generally calyx end) or on soft twigs. After hatching, first instar larvae started to feed on upper surface of fruit and later on entered into the developing apple fruits. The matured larvae hibernated after spinning a light silken protective covering and remained as such throughout the winter i.e. till the 19^th april. The hibernating larvae pupated in the month of april inside the already constructed whitish waxy webbing. The emergence of C. pomonella was started from 15^th May and only one generation was recorded.