Light Brown Apple Moth |
|
 |
|
Background
The light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Tortricidae), is a native pest of Australia and is now widely distributed New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Caledonia. Although it was reported in Hawaii in the late 1800s, a recent LBAM detection in California is the first on the United States mainland. USDA confirmed the detection of LBAM in Alameda County, California on March 22, 2007. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) aggressively surveyed the area to discover the extent to the infestation and identified the pest in 11 additional counties. Intense control activities have contained LBAM within the initial detection area, and effectively eradicated the pest from Napa and Los Angeles counties.
LBAM is of particular concern because it can damage a wide range of crops and other plants including California’s prized cypress as well as redwoods, oaks and many other varieties commonly found in California’s urban and suburban landscaping, public parks and natural environment. The list of agricultural crops that could be damaged by this pest includes grapes, citrus, stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, apricots) and many others. The complete “host list” contains well over 1,000 plant species and more than 250 fruits and vegetables.
USDA and CDFA are working aggressively to control and eradicate this pest before it has the chance to spread requiring greater resources to protect American agriculture and our urban and suburban landscape.
|
|
|
|
In the News |
|
|
|
Jun 20, 2008 Statement by APHIS Administrator on Updated Eradication Plan For Light Brown Apple Moth
Background
- LBAM Identification Aids
- LBAM Screening and Identification Guide (PDF; 26 Kb )
- Insect Removal Method from Sticky Traps (PDF; 201 Kb)
- LBAM Adult Screening Webinar - July 1, 2008, with Marc Epstein, CDFA Biosystematist (Video; 6.04 Mb)
- Technical Working Group
- TWG comments regarding report entitled, “Integrated Pest Management Practices for the Light Brown Apple Moth in New Zealand: Implications for California” (3/08) (PDF; 43 Kb)
- TWG Recommendations, December 2007 meeting in San Diego, California (1/25/08) (PDF; 37 Kb)
- TWG Recommendations, May 2007 meeting in San Jose, California (6/8/07) (PDF; 41 Kb)
- LBAM Economic Analysis (PDF; 1.06 Mb)
- NAPPO Phytosanitary Alert
- Mini Risk Assessment - Light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (PDF; 9Mb)
News and Information
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF; 28 Kb)
- Exempted Host List - Appendix I - (8/07) (PDF; 22 Kb)
- APHIS Regulatory Protocol - Appendix II (10/07) (PDF; 14 Kb)
- On-Line Resources
- SPRO Letters
- Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California (3/22/07) (PDF; 37 Kb)
- Statement by APHIS Administrator on Updated Eradication Plan for Light Brown Apple Moth (6/20/08)
Maps
- National Survey (PDF; 916 Kb)
Regulations
Federal Orders - Interstate Movement Restrictions
- Federal Order (4/28/08) (PDF;
28 Kb)
- State of California - the counties of Santa Barbara and Sonoma
- Federal Order (5/2/07) (PDF; 14 Kb)
- State of California – the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and San Mateo
- State of Hawaii – all counties
- Federal Order (9/17/07) (PDF; 38 Kb)
- State of California – the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa, Solano, and San Mateo
- State of Hawaii – all counties
- Federal Order (11/20/07) (PDF; 28 Kb)
- State of California – the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Solano
- State of Hawaii – all counties
Response
- California Department of Agriculture (quarantine maps and other information for California)
CDFA Regulation - Program Updates
- Environmental Documents
- EPA-approved Pheromone Labels
- CheckMate OLR-F (PDF; 250 Kb)
- CheckMate LBAM (PDF; 47 Kb)
Last Modified: January 8, 2009