June 4, 2009

1 Min Read

A new quarantine of approximately 38 square miles was established in Davis, Calif., (Yolo County), following the detection of a second light brown apple moth, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

A moth was first discovered in a trap in Davis on April 1, which triggered increased trapping efforts to determine if more moths were present. The second moth, detected on May 15, within 2 miles of the first find, prompted the quarantine.

A map of the quarantine zone is available at: http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/pdf/maps/3434LBAMYolo.pdf

CDFA says state and federal quarantine regulations prohibit the movement of all nursery stock, all cut flowers, and all host fruits and vegetables and plant parts within or from the quarantined area unless it is certified as free from the pest by an agricultural official; is purchased at a retail outlet; or was produced outside the area and is passing through in accordance with accepted safeguards.

Federal regulations apply to host commodities from the entire county if the commodities are moving interstate.

Approximately 3,213 square miles are now under quarantine in California due to the moth.

The light brown apple moth is native to Australia. The range of host plants is broad with more than 2,000 plant species susceptible to attack by the pest and more than 250 crops.

The moth damages or spoils the appearance of ornamental plants, citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit tree crops.

The moth threatens California’s environment – including cypress and oak trees – by destroying, stunting, or deforming young seedlings and damaging new growth in the forest canopy.

State and federal agriculture officials are currently developing sterile insect technology to combat the infestation.

For more information, visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdep/lbam/lbam_main.html.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like