Some features of the bioecology of the apple moth Cydia pomonella L. in the conditions of the Moscow region

Relevance. Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a dominant pest that annually causes significant damage to apple crops. Without a detailed study of the bioecological features of the development of the phytophage in specific study areas, which have undergone noticeable changes under the influence of global warming, it is impossible to build an effective protection system and ensure their environmental safety.Methods. The object of research is C. pomonella. When studying the age gradation and timing of the presence of caterpillars in fallen fruits, conventional and original methods were used; the width of the caterpillar head capsule was measured under an MBS-10 stereoscopic microscope using eyepieces with microscopic rulers. The study of the influence of the photoperiod on the behavior of C. pomonella under short day conditions was carried out in the laboratory in special containers, under natural light and at room temperature (about 21 °C).Results. Studies have shown that not all C. pomonella caterpillars leave fallen fruits within a maximum of one day. After three days of selection and analysis of fallen damaged fruits, caterpillars were found in 34.6–35.5% of them: 18.3–28.3% – age V, 18.3–30.2% – age IV, 28.3–47.9% – III age, 13.2–14.1% – II age, 1.4% – I age. In the laboratory, under short day conditions, according to the years of research, during October – November, 20–21.4% of butterflies flew out of the number of caterpillars of the last age that did not have time to form cocoons in the field.