By - on Thursday 10 November 2022, 13:54 - Permalink
If you notice a small brown moth in your pea crops, then it surely is the pea moth. From May to July, it lays eggs on leaves and flowers. When the caterpillar leaves the egg, it wanders around the garden until it enters a pod. Once comfortable inside, it feeds on peas, destroying them. Early use of the netting will prevent the moth from laying eggs.
Pea moth - a moth that lays eggs in peas
Description of the pea moth
The pea moth (Cydia nigricana) is one of the most common pests affecting pea crops in Europe. It is a small grey and brown moth with a wingspan of about 15 mm (ranging between 12 mm and 16 mm).
A closer look at the moth reveals that it has long antennae, while its wings are speckled with white and yellow herringbone-like spots.
They are mainly found in northern France, where they fly from May to July. It is when they head to pea crops. Usually, they lay eggs from the start to the end of the flowering period.
At this time, caterpillars appear. After 1 to 3 weeks, larvae hatch from the eggs. Their first habitat is a vegetable garden.
Pea moth caterpillar
The pea moth larva is a caterpillar, which reaches the length of 18 mm at the end of its development. It is white or yellowish, with black head and light brown or black chest.
They are difficult to detect, that is why it is a good idea to protect crops against them using netting.
It is worth knowing that one caterpillar damages up to 6 peas in a pod, one or two of which will be seriously spoiled. The seeds will be punctured, which will significantly change their appearance.
Insect netting is an ideal solution to prevent the reproduction of these caterpillars, requiring no other deterrents.
Which insect netting to choose and when to install it?
Appropriate netting: 45 gr/m2 insect netting
Netting with 0.8 mm x 1 mm mesh offers effective protection against moths with a wingspan ranging from 12 mm to 16 mm. The purpose of this method is to maximally reduce the spread of moths by stopping them from laying eggs on leaves and flowers of crops.
Netting for deterring the pea moth
Product sheet
Mesh size
0.8 mm x 1 mm
Colour
White
Material
HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
Unit weight
45 gr/m2
Photograph
The netting will also prevent the spread of other pests such as:
Carrot fly
Cabbage butterfly
Flea beetles, which feed on turnip, radish and rocket
Caterpillars, snails
Please remember that there are also other natural methods of controlling the pea moth. For example, choose a spot that is exposed to wind.
One advantage of this insect netting is that it allows for maintaining optimal harvests without a need for deterrents. Also, although the netting stops insects, it still lets air, light and water through.
When to use the netting to deter the pea moth
As mentioned above, these moths start approaching crops from May to July. From around this time, these small animals can be spotted in gardens.
To learn how to install the insect netting, read the explanations here!
Maille Store tip: In order to protect crops against the pea moth, install the insect netting at the beginning of May. This will significantly decrease the risk of damage and loss of crops. The netting can be removed at the end of July. You can follow Maille Store on Facebook to be sure not to miss any of our tips.
You can also see our full offer of vegetable garden netting. The offer also includes climate netting, vine netting and crop covers.
Description of the pea moth
The pea moth (Cydia nigricana) is one of the most common pests affecting pea crops in Europe. It is a small grey and brown moth with a wingspan of about 15 mm (ranging between 12 mm and 16 mm).
A closer look at the moth reveals that it has long antennae, while its wings are speckled with white and yellow herringbone-like spots.
They are mainly found in northern France, where they fly from May to July. It is when they head to pea crops. Usually, they lay eggs from the start to the end of the flowering period.
At this time, caterpillars appear. After 1 to 3 weeks, larvae hatch from the eggs. Their first habitat is a vegetable garden.
Pea moth caterpillar
The pea moth larva is a caterpillar, which reaches the length of 18 mm at the end of its development. It is white or yellowish, with black head and light brown or black chest.
They are difficult to detect, that is why it is a good idea to protect crops against them using netting.
It is worth knowing that one caterpillar damages up to 6 peas in a pod, one or two of which will be seriously spoiled. The seeds will be punctured, which will significantly change their appearance.
Insect netting is an ideal solution to prevent the reproduction of these caterpillars, requiring no other deterrents.
Which insect netting to choose and when to install it?
Appropriate netting: 45 gr/m2 insect netting
Netting with 0.8 mm x 1 mm mesh offers effective protection against moths with a wingspan ranging from 12 mm to 16 mm. The purpose of this method is to maximally reduce the spread of moths by stopping them from laying eggs on leaves and flowers of crops.
Netting for deterring the pea moth
Product sheet
Mesh size
0.8 mm x 1 mm
Colour
White
Material
HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
Unit weight
45 gr/m2
Photograph
The netting will also prevent the spread of other pests such as:
Carrot fly
Cabbage butterfly
Flea beetles, which feed on turnip, radish and rocket
Caterpillars, snails
Please remember that there are also other natural methods of controlling the pea moth. For example, choose a spot that is exposed to wind.
One advantage of this insect netting is that it allows for maintaining optimal harvests without a need for deterrents. Also, although the netting stops insects, it still lets air, light and water through.
When to use the netting to deter the pea moth
As mentioned above, these moths start approaching crops from May to July. From around this time, these small animals can be spotted in gardens.
To learn how to install the insect netting, read the explanations here!
Maille Store tip: In order to protect crops against the pea moth, install the insect netting at the beginning of May. This will significantly decrease the risk of damage and loss of crops. The netting can be removed at the end of July. You can follow Maille Store on Facebook to be sure not to miss any of our tips.
You can also see our full offer of vegetable garden netting. The offer also includes climate netting, vine netting and crop covers.
