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Brazil eradicates codling moths

Cydia Pomonella, recognized popularly as codling moths, is officially eradicated in Brazil. After several measures to exterminate the insect, Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply announced its exclusion from the list of quarantine pests in the country through the Normative Instruction.

The eradication was already concluded in May when Agriculture minister Neri Geller had signed the decree. At the occasion, Geller said that "because this a severe pest that reaches several countries, such as Uruguay, United States, and Argentina, this is an important conquest of the Brazilian crop protection authorities".

The first appearance of the codling moth in the country was in 1991. Thereafter, the ministry adopted measures such as "National Program of Eradication of Cydia Pomonella”, which installed over 10,000 traps, capturing approximately 20,000 pests. Other initiatives eliminated nearly 100,000 host plants in the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina that account for 95% of the national production of apples.

With the plague moved to the list of absent quarantine pests, it is estimated that apple producers - mostly affect by this pest - would push more exports. According to data of the Brazilian government, 83,000 tons of apples were exported in 2013, with a increase of 24% compared with previous year.