LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH IN
CALIFORNIA
SACRAMENTO, Thursday, March 22, 2007 - The California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) are announcing the detection of a pest known as
light brown apple moth. The announcement follows lab confirmation by
entomologists with CDFA, and then supporting confirmation by USDA
scientists.
There are increased trapping activities for the pest in
areas surrounding the initial detections in Alameda and Contra Costa
counties. The increased trapping is being conducted in cooperation
with agricultural commissioners in both counties.
Light brown apple moth is native to Australia and is found
in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The range of
host plants is broad with more than 250 plant species known to be
susceptible to attack by this pest. Major domestic hosts of concern
are stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and apricots),
apples, pears, grapes and citrus.
The pest destroys, stunts or deforms young seedlings; spoils
the appearance of ornamental plants; and injures deciduous fruit-tree
crops, citrus and grapes.
USDA and CDFA have assembled a technical working group
comprised of international experts on light brown apple moth to
discuss survey and mitigation strategies to safeguard against this
potentially damaging pest and prevent its further spread. The two
agencies will be working together to take the appropriate regulatory
action to prevent the spread of this pest in association with the
movement of host
commodities.
If you spot this pest in your yard, contact your
county's Cooperative Extension Office.
THE
LATEST LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH INFORMATION FROM THE CA DEPT OF FOOD
& AG
WIKIPEDIA
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH
Light
Brown Apple Moth and Related Species in California (good
pictures!)