Brown Apple Moth Invades California

Hitherto found only in Australia brown apple moth, where it does millions of dollars in damage annually to agriculture, as well as New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Hawaii, the moth was recently detected in the Bay Area, the first time it has appeared in the continental United States. Presently, 75 of the moths have been found in traps in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and San Francisco counties in California. The pest destroys, stunts or deforms young seedlings; spoils the appearance of ornamental plants and injures deciduous fruit tree crops, citrus and grapes. The moth could cause US$133 million in damage in the form of lost production and pest control costs if it gets into California growing areas for stone fruit, citrus, apples, avocados, strawberries, grapes and other produce. Likewise vegetables are hosts for the moth, including spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower.