New moth pest found in California

Date:10-21-2009



A single European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana, has been detected in the Oakville region of Napa County, CA, along with  larvae. In announcing the find, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Dave Whitmer said it was the first known detection of this invasive species in the United States.

The European grapevine moth is a known pest of grapes in Europe, the Mediterranean, southern Russia, Japan, the Middle East, Near East, and northern and western Africa.

The Napa County Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to trap and survey in the area in an attempt to detect additional European grapevine moths. Regulatory actions are under review.

"This is an invasive moth, something that doesnt belong in Napa County or anywhere in this country," said Whitmer. "Were doing all we can, working with our state and federal partners, to track this pest and determine our response as quickly as possible."

Studies of the European grapevine moth internationally show that larvae feed primarily on the flowers and fruit of the grape, and that they can also feed on number of other hosts, including olives, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, persimmons and pomegranates.