- Author: Steven A. Tjosvold
Soon after LBAM was discovered in Alameda County in 2007, officials started recording the nursery and fruit crops it was detected on. A 2008 CDFA list included 152 species. Many of these were new hosts, not recognized or recorded earlier. Clearly, LBAM was taking advantage of the California flora and nursery crops smorgasbord.
In a scientific review article on the host range of Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) in 2011, the authors summarized that there are “At least 545 plant species in 363 genera from 121 families that have been reported as hosts.” Further they stated that “Light brown apple moth is one of the most polyphagous insects known.” (See Attached files at the bottom of page.)
Although we knew something about common hosts within nurseries, we did not know a lot about the hosts that often surrounded these nurseries. We surveyed the native hosts and weeds that surrounded these sites for more than 2 years, and found that there were many common native hosts and weeds that LBAM could colonize ( See figure above).
This has important implications since these closely associated hosts could be launching pads for the migration of moths into nursery or fruit crops. LBAM adults have been shown to migrate at least 100 meters from their original sources. (See figure above.)
It is important to scout and perhaps control weeds that are outside the nursery and crop perimeters to minimize impact on LBAM migration into production areas.
Brockerhoff - 2011 - Worldwide Host Plants
- Author: Steven A. Tjosvold
The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) is an important invasive pest for California, and is established in much of California's coastal and some inland areas where nursery products are produced. It is a federally and state regulated pest in many ornamental and fruit crops.
Although the LBAM life cycle (egg to adult) progresses and develops through the entire year, our monitoring around the Monterey Bay Area production areas showed that there were peaks in LBAM flights consistently in the Fall (see red arrows).
These adults produce a focused generation of young larvae (see red circles), if detected early enough, could be targeted with a softer pesticide such at Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t., e.g. Dipel), which is active mainly on young larvae. B.t. is selective to moth larvae such as LBAM, therefore not interfering with parasitoids of LBAM, and it is relatively inexpensive.
A pesticide application, particularly with a short residual pesticide such as B.t., should be made when young larvae are detected through scouting. However, identifying larvae of LBAM has always been difficult. There are many look-alike leafrollers , especially when they are younger. We produced a LBAM identification guide and training video that helps identify adults, eggs, pupae, and most importantly, the targeted larvae.
LBAM ID Guide and Video at LBAM identification
- Author: Cheryl A. Wilen
APHIS Removes Requirement for Trapping Light Brown Apple Moth at Plant Nurseries in Regulated Areas in California |
05/19/2016 |
FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION Subject: APHIS Removes the Requirement for Trapping for the Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana) at Plant Nurseries in the Regulated Areas in California To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) removes the requirement for trapping for the light brown apple moth (LBAM) on farms and premises that are eligible to move—under certificate—any nursery stock, cut flowers, garlands, wreaths or greenery of any plants, trees and shrubs, and green waste in any of the regulated counties. The attached Federal Order describes the changes in the trapping requirement and the requirements for the interstate movement of LBAM-regulated articles. This action is necessary to relieve restrictions that have been determined to have no risk-based reason for continuance. APHIS, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and local county agricultural commissioners, maintains its survey and regulatory framework to prevent the artificial spread of LBAM to other states or trading partners. LBAM is native to Australia and has established populations in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii. The host range for LBAM includes more than 250 plant species. Maps and a list of the federal quarantine area are provided at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/lbam For further information about the LBAM program, you may call National Policy Manager Richard Johnson at 301-851-2109. Osama El-Lissy |
- Author: Mark Bolda
This is more than tangentially related to our current challenge of USDA – CDFA protocols related to management of the light brown apple moth (LBAM). As most of you know, a field of strawberries or caneberries found to be infested with LBAM by USDA-CDFA personnel is closed until it is confirmed to be cleared of the larval stages of this insect. During the time of closure, the grower is forced to sell his or her berries within the quarantine resulting in lower prices from a less robust market or absent that opportunity, leave it to rot, resulting a total loss. While the government isn't showing with a truck, getting shovels and taking the berries, it isn't difficult to define the LBAM regulatory actions amounting to government taking of the crop.
http://news.investors.com/062215-758505-supreme-court-raisin-takings-law-unconstitutional.htm?p=2
The Supreme Court decision was in regards to the Raisin Administrative Committee marketing order which demanded up to 47% of the plaintiff's crop in a year. This was to support prices of raisins, but the case turned around what was fair compensation for the crop taken.
The opinion of Chief Justice Roberts is telling: “The Government has a categorical duty to pay just compensation when it takes your car, just as it does when it takes your home”, in a reference to the protections afforded by the Fifth Amendment of the taking of personal property by the US government, which yes does include something like raisins.
Admittedly, the broader applications of this ruling are unclear. This case concerns a marketing order rather than a regulatory regime such as that imposed by the USDA and CDFA for control of the light brown apple moth. Indeed, the Ninth Circuit court found the raisin marketing order to be constitutional since all growers benefitted from the program from the higher prices brought about by reduced supply. This could (arguably) be the case with the LBAM Program as well, since growers outside of California would benefit by not having to deal with this insect.
Whatever the outcome for our situation here, it's encouraging to see the Constitution at work protecting our rights.
- Author: Mark Bolda
- Author: Hillary Thomas
Growers and pest control advisors on the Central Coast should be alerted to the gravity of the current leafroller situation. Owing to a warm winter, large numbers of leafrollers, including light brown apple moth (LBAM), have been observed throughout the Monterey Bay area.
Berry growers need to be diligent in using best pest management practices for leafrollers (given in other posts on this blog as well as the UC IPM website) right now to prevent additional field shutdowns and regulatory scrutiny. The issue is particularly important for organic berry fields where worm control tactics are limited.
This is a very big deal, because the USDA – CDFA regulatory effort is still in full swing. If LBAM is detected in a shipment, it could very well result in field closure for a long period of time, handing eye watering losses to the grower. Very much worth paying attention to the matter of LBAM on the Central Coast.
In the way of review, growers shipping should have a compliance agreement issued to them by the County Agricultural Commissioner. Harvested fruit is inspected on a monthly basis at the cooler, and if a suspect LBAM larva is found, the shipment is held up. An investigation is launched during this time to confirm whether the larva is actually an LBAM. During this time, no fruit may be moved from the field that was the source of the lot. Results may take days to get back, and if it is confirmed to be LBAM by DNA laboratory analysis the USDA- CDFA people will visit the grower for an inspection of the block or field where the larva was found. It is very important to note that while the grower is waiting for results to get back on a suspect larva, he or she should be very active in cleaning up the field - pre-emptively treating with insecticides and removing leaf rolls.
If on inspection more larvae are found in the field (they don't miss many, your threshold of detection is very low), the field is shut down for shipment outside the area of quarantine, and regulatory sprays must be done and need to be repeated until inspections find ZERO suspect LBAM larvae in the field. Regulatory sprays have to be witnessed by USDA or CDFA personnel. The whole process can take a month or longer, when one figures in delays, shortage of inspection personnel and mandated limits on work hours for state and Federal employees.
Further elaboration on the inspection protocol can be found here:
http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4993
Compliance agreements issued to growers require weekly inspections (every seven days) for LBAM of the production field by a PCA or qualified scout. If this weekly scouting is not done or records of it not kept, a grower having a positive LBAM find (starting 30 days to harvest for export to British Columbia, Canada) will be in violation of the compliance agreement. This will result in the compliance agreement rescinded (ie taken away) and the possibility of a hefty fine.
PCA's are busy professionals, and sometimes the weather doesn't comply it might be difficult for them to get to the field every seven days. That's why it is so important for the grower to have qualified scouts on the farm doing weekly LBAM inspections (they are not difficult). Mark has held a number of trainings already, and will hold two more trainings; one in English on May 28 at 8 am at the UCCE office, 1430 Freedom Boulevard, Suite E (same office as before) and another on May 29 in Spanish at 8 am at the same location. The trainings aren't long, tops maybe an hour after which each participant will receive a signed certificate of participation. If you need help with management of leafrollers right now, you can contact Mark (mpbolda@ucanr.edu), or Hillary (hthomas@calstrawberry.org), directly to provide additional resources or to consult with you on the site specific issue, risk factors, and management options.
In short, yes, it's important to pay attention to leafrollers in your fields this year. Additional information in English and Spanish is included in this Green Sheet from the Commission that went out on February 18, 2015:
http://reports.calstrawberry.org/Reports/Green%20Sheets/02.18.2015_LBAM%20Advisory.pdf
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