Illustration of Codling moth
Illustration by EH Zeck.
This is an illustration of Codling moth Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae)
Order reference: codling-moth
This image has become the icon for the Natura Morta exhibition contrasting the brilliance of the shiny red apple with the damage hidden within. Zeck has deliberately drawn the apple upside down to show the point of entry of the young caterpillars through the calyx end of the apple. As with most of his paintings, he has included close-up views of the stages of the life cycle as well as showing the same stages in more natural poses on the plant. The codling moth was one of the major pests of apples and other pome fruits requiring control through application of poisonous pesticides. However, today, populations of this species are controlled using pheromone disruption of mating and pesticide use in orchards has been greatly reduced to the benefit of growers, consumers and the environment.
You are permitted to copy these images for personal or educational use provided the copyright notice and name of the artist is retained. Any other uses of these images must be approved by the Curator of the collection in which these illustrations are archived. High resolutions scans of the images may be available on payment of a prescribed fee. Send details of your intended use to the Curator of Collections at ascu@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
