7 pairs of abdominal prolegs. Gives off a typical stinkbug smell. The egg swells, causing epidermis of the receptacle to burst in such a way that eventually part of it projects from the calyx. Leaving the fruit by a large hole with definite edges, it drops to the ground where it burrows to a depth of 5 to 10 cm and weaves a silky cocoon in which it remains in diapause for 9 to 21 months. D amage Apple varieties with a large number of flowers in blossom during the laying period are preferred.
White flowers are the most attractive.
When this occurs extensively on young fruit, they drop off in large numbers. The frass remains in the fruit and smells strongly of stinkbugs. The calyx has been opened to show the egg in place at the level of the notch of two sepals. The apple has been cut in half to show the larva feeding at the centre of the fruitlet. The gallery of the young larva which died prematurely, remains visible and down-grades the fruit. .