The adult apple maggots are ¼ in.(6mm) flies with yellow legs and transparent wings patterned with dark, crosswise bands. They lay eggs just beneath the skin of the fruit, and the larvae tunnel deeper within the fruit. The larvae are white ¼ in. maggots. Apple maggots are found throughout the eastern United States and Canada as well as norrthern California.

 
Plants susceptible to the apple maggot are apple, crabapple, Blueberry , apricots and plums. A similar pest affects cherries. Apple maggots tunnel through the fruit causing fruit to drop prematurely. Early ripening cultivars are most affected by this pest.

Life Cycle: The apple maggot overwinters as pupae in the soil. Adult flies emerge in late spring andbegin to lay eggs just under the apple skin. The eggs hatch, and the larvae begin to tunnel through the fruit. When mature, the maggot leaves through a small opening made in the side of the fruit and enters the soil. There are one or two generations per year.

Organic methods of Prevention- and control of the apple maggot include growing late-maturing cultivars of susceptible crops. Collect and destroy dropped fruit daily until September, then two times a month in autumn. Hang an Red Sphere Apple Maggot Trap in trees from mid June until harvest. It is recommend to use one to two traps per dwarf tree. Apply beneficial nematodes in spring or fall to kill remaining pupae in the soil.

Red sphere traps work well to capture and reduce the number of egg laying adults. Traps should be placed within the canopy just as trees are finished blossoming. Hang spheres high in the brightest areas of the tree, 6-7 feet from the ground. Set out one trap for every 150 apples (2 traps per dwarf tree). You can also plant white clover as a ground cover around susceptible plants to attract beetles that prey on the pupae of the apple maggot.

For severe apple maggot infestation Surround WP  made from specially modified Kaolin clay, it is the only kaolin product registered for agricultural use. When sprayed on fruits or vegetables, it forms a barrier that protects from many pests. The white barrier not only repels pests, it causes irritation, confusion, and is an obstacle for feeding and egg-laying.