{"id":384,"date":"2014-03-19T10:46:28","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T17:46:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ext100.wsu.edu\/skagit\/?page_id=384"},"modified":"2025-11-12T14:36:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T22:36:56","slug":"apple-maggot","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/skagit\/agriculture\/pestcontrol\/apple-maggot\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Maggot Control"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n \"Apple\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
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Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella<\/em>) is a native fruit fly species that lays its eggs inside apples and other soft fruits. The larvae tunnel through the fruit, causing internal breakdown and making apples unmarketable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Fact:<\/strong> One infested apple can cause an entire shipment to be rejected.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why It Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Economic Risk:<\/strong>
Infestations can lead to total crop loss or quarantine restrictions, especially in export markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quarantine Zones:<\/strong>
Many states, including Washington, have regulated areas where apple maggot is monitored and managed aggressively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Example:<\/em> In Washington State, quarantine zones are enforced to protect commercial apple-producing regions like the Yakima Valley.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Current Priority Pests:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n