Tuesday, April 28, 2015

One European Grapevine Moth in all of California

European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) has plagued California vineyards since it was discovered  in 2009.  It can have multiple generations in a year, and as such can spread very quickly.  In 2010, more than 100,000 moths were trapped and it was found in 11 counties in California.  USDA-APHIS, California Department of Food and Agriculture, county departments of agriculture, University of California Cooperative Extension, and growers partnered together to develop and implement a detection and eradication program.  This program has helped to protect the $5.7 billion fruit crop industry in California.  As of the 2014 survey, only one moth was found and more than 80% of quarantined acres have been declared moth free.

grape berry moth (Lobesia botrana) by Todd M. Gilligan and Marc E. Epstein, CSU, Bugwood.org
For the full article: From Over 100,000 to 1: Partners Band Together to Beat the European Grapevine Moth
Images: Lobesia botrana
BugoodWiki Article: Lobesia botrana