Mark, if you read the old fruit books they occasionally mention how a variety is particularly uninteresting for moths (or the opposite) and I have also noticed the same thing in my orchard. My Rusty Coats (v. similar to Golden Russet) are all unblemished this year. Myers Royal Limbertwig is similarly clean. A few other varieties were particularly attractive with most fruits having worms (can't think of all the names now but Rubinette was one). I think for the Rusty Coat the very thick russeting may have helped them resist bites. It is also a late apple and overall they fared better as well, maybe they are harder earlier so less juicy for moths during their active season. My Cloche (aka Glockenapfel) is another late one coming in now with few worms. It is however extra juicy for the curculio for some reason, a different topic.

On the more general topic of CM control strategy, one thing I learned this year is a CM monitoring trap is extremely helpful. At one point I found many CM in my trap, but I had thought they were in fact some other kind of bug at first (my short-range vision is really going) so I didn't spray hard right then. Being alert to those flights and nailing with spinosad immediately can have a huge impact.

Scott

I've noticed my Arkansas Black can put up with some Curculio hits. I don't know if they're too hard for the larvae to move or if they have a growth spurt at the right time to crush them.
Usually they really go for the Cortland and McIntosh. Since I seemed to keep them off those apples the later flush really went after the Arkansas Black AND my Northstar cherry, which they have never gone after before.
So I'd say the bugs definitely have their preferences.

As far as Codling Moth it shouldn't be the color because apples are all green at the time the moths are working.
This year I either had a light CM year or the Spectracide for Curculio wiped out the moths before they started. I haven't seen any CM exits on any drops.

What's the molasses do for you? I'd think that would attract bugs.

Hi Scott, Myk. I always appreciate your help.

Myk is quite right about the apples being green when they're hit by CM, at least at first (we often get three generations and by the last the apples are coloring). I think what I was trying to get at was whether the red apples had some other quality (smell, perhaps? that attracted CM.

The molasses is something our county extension people like to add as a sticker, I think. It's just a tablespoon/gallon. And I think they just like the insecticidal soap, so they recommend that, too. I go along with it on the "can't hurt" philosophy.

I could not agree more with Scott's observation about CM pheromone monitoring. Next year I will hit the tree hard with spinosad at the first sign, and then repeat with (relative) abandon.

Thanks again. Today the last of the apples and my few pears come off, and I have to beat the storm. The wind's blowing "right smartly" out there now.

M