EGVM – European Grape Vine Moth

State agriculture officials discovered a new pest in grape vines, a host plant that is one of California’s largest agricultural crops, in early spring 2010, and continue to work with local stakeholder groups to help control the spread of this voracious pest. Although it was initially thought that there were many host plants, it has now been determined that grape vines are the only host in California. You can read more about this pest or contact Claudia Reid, Policy/Program Director, at policy@ccof.org. Information is also available on the CDFA website.

CCOF continues to work with our growers and others to disseminate information about this pest and how to control it. Currently there are three organically approved methods for EGVM – Spinosad, Entrust and IOS-Mate. If you have questions about treatment, contact your certifier or the local Agricultural Commissioner’s office.

LBAM - Light Brown Apple Moth

LBAM Environmental Impact Report Released

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) program.

Completion of the EIR is required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is a procedural step in the ongoing invasive pest program.

The EIR determined that it was unlikely that the approaches in the LBAM program would cause human harm or environmental damage, and found that greater potential for human and environmental harm would come from widespread pesticide use by private parties and organizations in the absence of an LBAM program.

The approaches evaluated include the use of moth pheromone, organically-approved materials, and sterile moths. The only two treatment methods being considered currently are the placement of pheromone twist ties on trees and plants, and the release of sterile moths. The sterile release project is the preferred alternative identified in the EIR. CDFA is not currently considering aerial applications of pheromone.

The EIR states that eradication is the goal. However, the application is broad and would apply to either an eradication or control strategy, depending on the needs of the program. View the full report.

Please contact CCOF at policy@ccof.org if you have questions.

CDFA Moves from Eradication to Control for LBAM
The switch in strategies was revealed on March 23, 2010 as state agriculture officials announced certification of an environmental study of its plan to fight the Australian native.

In certifying the study, agriculture officials also took controversial aerial spraying off the table and say they are only considering ground-based treatments and the release of sterile moths to disrupt breeding. "At this point, eradication is not viewed as feasible so the program is shifting focus," said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture. State agriculture officials had hoped to rid California of the moth by 2015, but Lyle believes the increase in population size and spread in the past two years has made that impossible.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture came to the same conclusion, announcing its decision to abandon eradication as a goal last week. In a press release, the department said eradication couldn't be pursued "until new tools, such as sterile insect technology, are fully developed and ready for widespread use" (Donna Jones, Santa Cruz Sentinel).

USDA APHIS Seeks Comments on Petitions to Deregulate LBAM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published its draft response, in mid-March, 2010, to two petitions requesting that the agency reclassify the light brown apple moth (LBAM) as a non-actionable pest. Based on a thorough evaluation of the petitions, including an independent review of the agency’s evaluation by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC), APHIS will continue to regulate LBAM as a quarantine pest. CCOF signed onto one of the petitions, and remains committed to the long-term effort to continue trying to get LBAM deregulated. Essentially, USDA APHIS’ response to the two petitioners was that the scientific information provided to justify the deregulation was inadequate. Review the draft petition response and supplemental information.

Organic IPM Management Plan for LBAM

CCOF is pleased to provide our members with an ORGANIC IPM MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR LBAM. This document will be useful if you live in one of the delineated or quarantine areas of California that have experienced an LBAM find. This pest, and the dynamics of the eradication plan, continue to be one of CCOF's top priorities.

LBAM Spraying Halted

On June 19, 2008, the CDFA and the USDA announced significant improvements to the eradication plan for Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). These include halting aerial spraying over urban areas and mounting an aggressive ground treatment program in the 11 affected California counties. The Department will also rapidly implement a Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) component to the program, with plans to roll out a pilot SIT program next spring, 2009, with the full program being implemented by spring 2010.

The IPC strongly supported this new strategy that instead of aerial spraying, uses a ground-based approach and newly-available control measures to eradicate this invasive pest in an effective and environmentally safe manner.

We continue to work with CDFA to explore alternatives to aerial spraying for LBAM. For additional information, contact ccof@ccof.org.