A number of fungi are associated with this disease including Alternaria spp. Presumably, infection occurs through the calyx when it remains open for a prolonged period. It not surprising if we see more of this disease this year since the wet weather we had during bloom was favorable for infection. At the UVM HRC, we were at 1523 degree days as of Aug. 3. In other words, we are in the 'high risk' period for apple maggot damage to fruit.
Trap captures around the region are variable, ranging from light to localized, high trap captures.
The following is an excerpt from an apple maggot article written by Drs. Most people are aware that each year in N.Y. orchards, substantial numbers of AM flies are captured on monitoring traps late in the season, and growers are naturally concerned about potential fruit infestation from these late season survivors. Although peak oviposition times varied among apple varieties from year to year, only trace amounts of oviposition occurred in September. We regard these results as corroboration of our long-standing recommendations that a final spray be applied around the middle of August to effectively control apple maggot in most commercial orchards. In the same apple maggot article mentioned above, Drs.