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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

, 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

and fruit. Clear up infected, fallen leaves around trees. Cover fence or wall-trained trees with polythene sheet in January and February to prevent development of fungus. Alternatively, erect an open-sided 'tent' over bushes in the open garden. Mulch around

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

, 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

in close proximity. Where trees are suffering stress as a result of drought or waterlogging, they may be more liable to infection. Canker may also infect fruit, so they rot on the tree before harvesting or when in store. If your trees have suffered