Pest Prevention

Pest Detection

This is a proactive program to detect pests before they become established. Traps are monitored throughout the county for the presence of exotic pests of agriculture, such as Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Oriental Fruit Fly, Melon Fruit Fly, Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle. These insect pests have an enormous host range and are difficult and costly to manage once established. Through early detection, this program is protecting more than agriculture. Limiting the need for pesticide applications protect the environment. Sonoma County has a year round survey program to detect any uncommon plant disease, insect, animal, nematode or weed that may be detrimental to agriculture, ornamental plantings and native flora. To protect our valuable grape industry, we also deploy and inspect traps for Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer and Glassy-winged Sharp Shooter.

The Latest on Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM)

Since March 2007, when Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), an invasive pest native to Australia, was confirmed for the first time in California and the continental United States, we have been servicing over 600 traps to detect any new sites as early as possible. Additionally, we have been providing outreach to the community and the agricultural and nursery industry, and responding to general inquiries from the community and industry.

On February 26, 2008, a single LBAM was confirmed in Sonoma County for the first time. On April 21, 2008, a second LBAM was confirmed in Sonoma County in close proximity to the initial find. This second detection triggered state and federal quarantines in Sonoma County, which restrict the movement of fruits, vegetables, plants, and related articles within and from Sonoma County. This quarantine area has been deregulated as of October 20, 2008 and the area declared free from this pest.

On August 13, 2008, a single LBAM was confirmed off Ramal Road near the Sonoma/Napa County border (approximately eight miles from the current area under quarantine). Additionally, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office had a single LBAM find that was confirmed in early August, which was located next to the Sonoma/Napa County border, within approximately one mile of the August 13 find in Sonoma County. As a result of these two finds being within three miles of each other, quarantine has been established in this area and went into effect on August 26, 2008. CDFA has increased trapping in the immediate area to detect any additional moths as early as possible. In October there have been seven confirmed finds in the Sonoma/Napa quarantine area (two in Napa and five in Sonoma). Under state law, CDFA has the responsibility and authority to control and eradicate invasive pests in California (Food and Agricultural Code Section 5321-5323). CDFA has not made a decision regarding whether or not to treat in this area.

The Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is responsible for the detection of noxious pests in the county, and to provide education and outreach to the community and agricultural industry regarding these pests. We are working directly with agriculture and related industries to help them meet state and/or federal requirements to move their commodities, and to ensure their business is impacted as little as possible.

LBAM has been detected in several other counties in the State including: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and San Mateo. In 2007, LBAM was also detected in Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles Counties, which are now free of this pest.

LBAM has a host range of more than two-thousand plant species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest, and more than 250 crops. The moth injures grapes, citrus, and deciduous fruit tree crops; feeds on host plants favored by a number of endangered species; and spoils the appearance of ornamental plants. It also threatens California’s environment—including, redwood, oak, and cypress trees—by destroying, stunting or deforming young seedlings and damaging new growth in the forest canopy.

Light Brown Apple Moth Press Releases

• February 29, 2008
  • Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
  • California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
• April 24, 2008
  • Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
  • California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

LBAM Links

• Consensus Statement on Human Health Aspects
• Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s LBAM Flyer
    – Help Keep This Pest Out of Sonoma County
• CDFA’s LBAM Brochure
• CDFA LBAM Fact Sheet
• CDFA LBAM "Claims and Responses"
• CDFA - Summary of Symptom Reports in Areas of Aerial Pheromone Application for Management of the Light Brown Apple Moth in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties September, October, and November 2007
  
• CDFA’s LBAM Action Plan
• CDFA Plant Quarantine Manual - LBAM State Requirements
• LBAM Regulatory Procedures Manual
• LBAM Federal Domestic Quarantine Order

Miscellaneous Links

• CDFA Pest Detection/Emergency Projects
• CDFA Target Pests and Disease Information
• CDFA Pierce’s Disease Control Program
• GWSS – BugSpot.org

PDF Presentation

• Pest Detection (936KB)
   

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