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When apple trees are in flower, the sawfly, Hoplocampa testudinea, lays its eggs in the developing fruit. In June, the larvae tunnel their way under the skin of the fruit and into the core, causing the apples to fall. When they're ready, they tunnel

on infected stems and branches. The most serious consequence of scab is reduced vigour of the trees caused by early leaf fall. This may limit the crop of fruit. The disease also causes scabs on the skins of fruit, although they are still edible. A preventative

for the plant and in its weakened state, the flowers and fruit fall off. Trees may recover sufficiently to make a second flush of growth and these leaves are usually unaffected by the fungus. Fungus survives on fallen leaves and branches to re-infect next season

, which can encourage sooty mould to develop. It's more of a problem in urban areas where temperatures are higher.Scrape the eggs off by hand and move them to an alternative tree, or destroy them.Spray with an insecticide containing deltamethrin

, use the parasitic wasp, Metaphycus helvolus, bought by mail order as a biological control.Use a pesticide containing deltamethrin on ornamental crops - organic fatty acid sprays can be used on fruit bushes and trees.a wide range of plants, house plants