The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is an insidious pest of apple trees and the scourge of fruit farmers the world over. Unfortunately, there are few treatments for combating this insect and those that are partially effective often have environmental side-effects.

US researchers have demonstrated that plant-derived semiochemicals from the Gingko biloba tree, well known as a so-called “health” supplement, can act as feeding deterrents against codling moth larvae. Ginkgolic acid prevented fruit infestation at concentrations as low as 1 mg/ml, bilobalide at at 0.1 mg/ml and higher concentrations, and ginkgolide B at 10 mg/ml.

• Effects of Ginkgo biloba Constituents on Fruit-Infesting Behavior of Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) in Apples
  M. A. Pszczolkowski, K. Durden, S. Sellars, B. Cowell, J. J. Brown,
  J. Agric. Food Chem. 2011.
  DOI: 10.1021/jf202386c