Plum fruit moth likely

The combination of early ripening, gum and a tunnel around the stone strongly suggests a plum fruit moth caterpillar.

How to recognise

• Open several yellowing fruits and look for a tunnel, brown droppings or a small pinkish caterpillar.
• Look for the small entry hole, sometimes with a drop of gum.

What to do

• Remove affected fruit before the caterpillar leaves it.
• Pick up fallen fruit every day and do not leave it in a cold compost heap.
• Keep photos of a few opened fruits to track how things develop.

Prevent

• In spring, set up a specific trap to monitor the moths' flight.
• Check the young fruit every week and quickly remove any that turn yellow.
• Plan biological measures for the right period, following local recommendations.

Trees affected