During the summer months the apples grow from the fruit set stage (about 1/2 in) to their harvest size, which varies depending on variety. This is the time when the apples are susceptible to a host of different dangers.
Apple scab infection is a major concern for the grower, it is caused by a virus called Venturia inaequalis it mainly will occur by rain splashing the virus from leave to leave or leave to fruit. The fruit will show black scab marks, but the inside of the apple is not harmed. It is not as attractive as it should be, therefor not acceptable to be sold
Another danger for the apples is a insect called plum curcullio. The curcullio is a beetle that wounds the skin of an apple with a half moon shaped scab. they apples are most susceptible soon after the petals fall. They eat a hole through the skin and feed on the pulp of the apple. it is one of the most difficult pests to manage. in the past whole orchards had to be sprayed to keep curcullio out. Thanks to research, by the late Ronald Prokopy from the University of Massachusetts, growers now only spray the border of the orchard, which greatly reduces the amount of chemicals needed to keep this pest away.
There are many other pests and dangers to the apples as they grow to maturity. Any time the threat of thunderstorms looms, the threat of hail comes with it. If the storms bring hail it can damage the entire crop.
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