HungryPests Blog

Home Winemakers, Beware of European Grapevine Moth

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:31:59 +0000

Most people have a hobby, be it ultra marathon running, travel, gardening, scrapbooking or making wine at home. And like most things in life, nearly every hobby has some level of risk involved—twisting an ankle running, slicing your finger scrapbooking or succumbing to illness while traveling. Home winemaking is facing a new risk, from the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM).

European Grapevine Moth is currently quarantined in seven California counties. The EGVM is particularly destructive to grapes and grapevines. It eats the fruit at its most sensitive stage and damage from EGVM can make vines more susceptible to botrytis bunch rot.

There are now a few more things for home winemakers to think about when making their wine and disposing of the pomace (residue of crushed grape skins and stems). One of the ways EGVM can be spread is in green waste and on conveyances—trucks or shipping materials transporting grapes from one area to another. In areas where EGVM has been found, the green waste from home winemaking should be double-bagged and placed in the trash can, rather than being added to compost piles. Home winemakers should do the same when disposing of the pomace and other parts of the grape or grapevine that is not used for wine: double bag any grape “leftovers” and place it in your trash can.

European Grapevine Moth has the potential to cause great damage to California’s wine, table grape and raisin industries…and by extension, to California’s economy. Do your part to stop the spread of EGVM—double bag any wine-making “leftovers” and place the bag in your trash can.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

Asian Citrus Psyllid Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review and Comment

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:39:14 +0000

In an effort to keep readers of the HungryPests blog informed, we wanted to pass along the following information…

The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available to the public an environmental assessment (EA) relative to the control of Asian citrus psyllids (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. The purpose of this EA is to analyze the environmental impact of an ACP control program throughout the continental United States and Puerto Rico. APHIS is providing a 30-day comment period for response to this EA.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before September 26, 2010.

Please send any comments to Mary Beverly, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, 4700 River Road, Unit 160, Riverdale, MD 20737, or to mary.a.beverly@aphis.usda.gov.
Keep checking our blog, Twitter feed and Facebook page for announcements like this – and stay informed!

Deborah McPartlan
Staff Officer, Emergency Management
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and Quarantine

Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Greening Disease a Rising Concern in California

hungrypests — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:18:10 +0000

When most people think of citrus, they think of Florida. But did you know that California is the second top producer of citrus in the United States? And the top producer of citrus table fruit, the fresh oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes you see in stores (not in juice cartons)? Citrus trees dot the state, from orchards of thousands to backyard trees providing fresh produce to home owners.

If you live in a citrus-producing region of California, you’re probably pretty familiar with the Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Greening Disease, otherwise known as Huanglongbing. If you live in the Los Angeles area, you’re probably hearing a lot about the psyllid, as there is a large population in backyard citrus trees in the Echo Park area. Whether you’ve heard of the psyllid and Citrus Greening or not, be prepared to hear more soon.

Concern is rising in California about both the Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Greening. The two go hand in hand, with the psyllid being the insect that can introduce and spread the disease. Citrus Greening is a grave concern to the citrus industry because it has the potential to ruin citrus in California.

Citrus Greening is a bacterial disease that reduces fruit production, destroys the appearance, taste and economic value of fruit and eventually kills citrus trees. As of now there is no cure for Citrus Greening, so once a tree is infected, it will die—and the California citrus industry could die too. You read that right: if Citrus Greening is introduced and spreads in California, an entire industry could be destroyed.

The psyllid has been found in various areas of California, but Citrus Greening Disease has not yet been found in California. I repeat: Citrus Greening Disease has not yet been found in California. It has, however, been found close by—in various parts of Mexico, as well as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina. And more states are at risk of the disease becoming established because they already have the psyllid.

Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell, a research entomologist at the University of Riverside, wrote an educational blog entry last year with more information and tips. There are also a few good website resources: Save Our Citrus and the Citrus Research Board. Read up to learn more about the psyllid, the disease and how to spot them both.

Homeowners in all areas of California are encouraged to check their citrus trees and other potential host plants for signs of the psyllid. If a psyllid infestation is suspected, please report the pest. We can all work together to protect California’s citrus trees.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

European Grapevine Moth Trapping Update

hungrypests — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:00:19 +0000

You may have read my earlier blog about the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) trapping process. The trapping program has been underway for a few months now and it seemed like a good time to offer a little summary and look ahead.

The University of California Cooperative Extension in Napa County has established a website where regular updates are posted about trap results, egg development, upcoming events and relevant news articles. It’s a good resource for highly specific information that is invaluable for the Napa area and can also help inform strategies and treatment in other areas.

So, focusing on Napa County, the first generation of EGVM peaked in late April. Hundreds of eggs were found and dozens of males were trapped each day during the peak flight. The first flight ended in early June and the second generation is now being detected in Oakville and Rutherford. The second and third generations of EGVM are the most damaging because the caterpillars damage fruit, with that damage often leading to disease.

It is anticipated that peak flight and egg-laying for the second generation will take place in late June. There are detailed notes on the UCCE Napa County site with information on treatment options and recommended application timing for both conventional and organic growers. While this information is customized to Napa County, it may be useful to growers in other areas that are facing EGVM infestations. Check with your local agriculture commissioner for information specific to your area.

Trapping is still underway across the state, with results rolling in frequently. We have seen EGVM spread beyond its initial borders and USDA has allotted additional funding to help fight the spread of this damaging pest.

Keep checking this blog for more updates and information on the European Grapevine Moth and the other pests the Hungry Pests project is tracking. We’ll share information as we receive it.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

European Grapevine Moth Locations Determined

hungrypests — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:33:22 +0000

That happened fast: the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) has been detected beyond its initial locations and has been found in multiple counties across California. EGVM finds have been made recently in Fresno County, Mendocino County, Merced County and Solano County, in addition to the first finds in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Finding EGVM-infested sites is important, but equally important is knowing where it isn’t present. This information allows growers to assure customers that their products are EGVM-free.

Although we expected to find more moths as warmer weather arrived, it’s never good news when it happens—but finding them is essential to limiting the spread of the pest. An extensive state-wide trapping effort continues in order to determine the current locations of the EGVM. Thousands of traps have been deployed in the “new find” Counties to determine the distribution of EGVM.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has established state interior quarantine areas in each of the above-mentioned counties. The establishment of Federal quarantine is only a matter of time. It’s important to note the guidelines that determine when quarantine is set in a particular area. Two or more moths in the same lifecycle must be found within three miles of each other for quarantine to be set. Quarantine boundaries are established in a five-mile radius around the find.

USDA has allotted additional funding to help fight the spread of this damaging pest.
Check with your local county agriculture commissioner if you have questions or are concerned about EGVM becoming established in your area. Ag commissioners have the most specific, updated information about their County and can help guide you in treatment and planning efforts.
Keep checking this blog for more updates and information on the European Grapevine Moth as summer progresses. I’m sure there will be much more news to share.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

European Grapevine Moth Trapping is Underway

hungrypests — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:29:41 +0000

The European Grapevine Moth (lobesia botrana) has been in the news a lot lately. As I wrote in an earlier blog, EGVM was first found in Napa Valley—the first find in the United States—in fall 2009. It has now been found at more than 30 sites and growers in the Napa Valley are concerned about the impacts it may have to their crops. State Interior Quarantine boundaries were recently established by CDFA, covering 162 square miles of Napa, Sonoma and Solano Counties. An active trapping program is underway to help determine the extent of the infestation.

Local agriculture commissioners, growers, the University of California Cooperative Extension and officials from both the United States Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food and Agriculture are working together on the state-wide trapping effort. Nearly 50,000 traps will be placed across the state to see if EGVM has spread beyond the Napa Valley.

Traps baited with a pheromone were initially placed in Southern California, where warmer weather hits sooner, and have now been fully deployed in Napa Valley. The trapping process is a simple one: 25 traps per square mile are set in grape-growing areas of Napa County; 16 traps per square mile are set in all other growing areas of the state; and five traps per square mile are set in urban areas. Traps will be checked regularly to help formulate treatment plans.

The European Grapevine Moth overwinters as a pupa and emerges as an adult moth in mid to late March. The temperature must be warm enough (above 50°F and below 86°F) for the moths to emerge. The first of an expected three annual generations of the moth will fly through about mid-April, and those first-generation moths are what we’re looking for now. The second and third generations of the moth are the most damaging, so getting a good picture of the moth’s distribution through the results of this first trapping cycle is essential.

The EGVM prefers grapes (those grown for wine, table grapes and raisins) but also likes berries, stone fruits and olives. Many moths are expected to be found in early April when weather is warmer and more moths emerge.

More updates to come with results of the trapping effort and the treatment options that will be considered.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

LBAM Spreading Across California

hungrypests — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:35:10 +0000

Spring is right around the corner, and with it will come new finds of invasive pests in areas across California. Many different pests will emerge from their winter “homes” or overwintering states as the weather gets warmer and we will learn what we’re up against this year. If that makes it sound like a battle, that’s because it is—the battle to protect, as best we can, California and it resources from the impacts of invasive pests.

Two examples of this are the new Light Brown Apple Moth finds in Southern California. Most recently, one LBAM was trapped in a lemon grove in San Diego County—the first find in that County. More LBAMs have been found in the Long Beach area of Los Angeles County, after more than 100 moths were found and quarantine established last year. Quarantine is established anytime two or more moths are found in an area, so any LBAM find is significant—but more than 100 moths means a population is likely establishing itself in the area.

In 2009, LBAM spread beyond its previous Bay Area borders to the Fairfield area, Healdsburg, Davis, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties (in addition to the Long Beach find mentioned above). It is likely that more LBAM finds will take place this year in those areas, and even in new areas.

If your community is under quarantine for any invasive pest—whether it’s LBAM, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Medfly, European Grapevine Moth or any other invasive in California—it’s important to follow quarantine regulations. Don’t remove plants, produce or green waste outside the quarantine area unless it has undergone the required treatment. We can all work together to protect California.

Keep checking the Hungry Pests blog site for news on new invasive pest finds and other information. We will do our best to keep you updated.

Helene Wright
California State Plant Health Director
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

Good Garden Health Now Means Fewer Pests Later

hungrypests — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:25:32 +0000

As winter comes to a close, many of us are thinking ahead to our summer vegetable gardens.

Spring is when many plants are growing their tender new leaves, attractive to some of the most common garden pests: aphids, slugs and snails. Fortunately, there are some specific things you can do to keep pests from eating more from your vegetable garden than you do.

There are really just two general rules: make your garden less attractive to the bad guys (the pest insects), and more attractive to the good guys (the natural enemies that feed on the pests).

1. Promote overall garden health to make your garden habitat less inviting to pests.

One of the most important things you can do is encourage healthy, nutrient-rich soil. Amend your soil with compost, either home-made or commercial. When you’re ready to plant, select only healthy (and disease-resistant) seeds and seedlings. It’s also important to keep your garden clean: remove any diseased leaves right away; handpick any insect pests you find; and be sure to pull weeds regularly.

Keeping a close eye on your garden will help you recognize – and manage – any pest problems before they get out of hand.

2. Encourage natural enemies to move into your garden and eat any pests that do appear.

Natural enemies are insects like lady beetles and lacewings that love nothing more than munching your garden pests. They are your allies in pest management – you want these guys in your garden! Check out the UC IPM page on natural enemies for more details.

You can attract these good insects to your garden by planting plants that offer lots of the pollen and nectar they like, including cosmos, dill, lavender, marigold, sunflower, nasturtiums, spearmint and California natives. Remember: these good insects are just as susceptible to insecticides as the pesky insects — and this is why it’s important to avoid spraying.

If you have other garden questions, contact your local Master Gardener. We’re happy to help!

Kathy Switky
UCCE Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

USDA Has Released Its Draft Response to Delisting Requests

hungrypests — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:00:59 +0000

In our efforts to keep our readers informed of news related to invasive pests, I’d like to share some news about the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). The United States Department of Agriculture today published its draft response to two petitions requesting that LBAM be reclassified as a non-actionable pest. You can read the draft response and other information on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) web site, or visit the Federal Register web site (search on “LBAM”) to read about the response and how to submit your comments.

The “Cliffs Notes” version of the draft response is that USDA’s APHIS will continue to regulate LBAM as a quarantine pest. Additionally, APHIS is announcing a move from efforts to eradicate LBAM to a control and suppression strategy of the LBAM population.

APHIS followed a rigorous process to develop the draft response and considered multiple perspectives. Here’s a brief timeline of the events that led to this point:

APHIS determined in 2007 that LBAM was a newly introduced quarantine pest (defined as a pest that has the potential to spread further within the United States and cause economic damage to agriculture and natural resources) and took actions to eradicate it.
Two petitions were submitted, in September 2008 and February 2009, requesting that APHIS reclassify LBAM and remove any regulations related to the pest.
APHIS developed a draft response to the petitions and commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to evaluate the situation and provide an objective technical evaluation of the USDA’s response.
The NRC released its report and recommendations in September 2009. The report concluded that APHIS met necessary scientific standards within its regulatory authority to classify LBAM as a quarantine pest. The NRC report also noted that APHIS could benefit by using additional scientific evidence to support its position.
APHIS then reviewed additional economic and scientific information and used it to re-evaluate its LBAM analysis. After the additional review, APHIS determined its original position was correct and will continue to regulate LBAM as a quarantine pest.

LBAM has spread to such an extent in California that eradication is no longer possible with existing technologies and tools. More to come on this aspect of the report in another blog entry.

Members of the public have until close of business on May 14, 2010 to submit comments on the draft response. All comments will be considered as APHIS formulates its final decision on the regulation of LBAM. The final response will also be published in the Federal Register.

We will continue to post information about the delisting news and other invasive pests on this blog and the Hungry Pests web site. Keep checking back for updates.

Larry Hawkins
Legislative and Public Affairs Officer
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture

Update: We updated the Federal Register link in the first paragraph, which was broken.

CDFA Releases LBAM EIR

hungrypests — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:21:38 +0000

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today released the much anticipated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) detailing the agency’s methods to manage the light brown apple moth (LBAM) and defining what, if any, impacts those methods have on the environment.

The study is especially welcome because it makes evidence-based decisions and recommendations on which treatment options are most effective while still keeping the health and safety of Californians and the environment as the key, most important focus.

In a nutshell, the EIR found that the approaches CDFA has proposed (the use of moth pheromone, organically-approved materials and sterile moths), do not have negative impacts on humans or the environment. Furthermore, the report concluded that the absence of a systematic control/eradication program would potentially result in greater environmental impacts because private parties and organizations would be more likely to apply pesticides independently.

I know this has been a contentious issue for some time, so I invite everyone to read the EIR for themselves to learn more about how those conclusions were reached. The EIR can be downloaded at CDFA’s website, at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PDEP/lbam/envimpactrpt.html.

Larry Hawkins
Legislative and Public Affairs Officer
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture