Light Brown Apple
Moth (LBAM) - Q&A
What is LBAM
?
LBAM is the light brown
apple moth(Epiphyas postvittana), which has
never before been detected in North
America. LBAM is an exotic pest,
i.e., it is not established in the continental United
States.
It is of particular concern
because it can damage a wide range of plants - including many
commonly found in urban and suburban landscaping, public parks,
and the natural environment. The list of agricultural
crops that could be damaged by this pest includes Napa County's
famed grapes as well as citrus, stone fruits (peaches, plums,
nectarines, cherries, apricots) and others. The complete
"host list" contains over 250 plan species. The pest
damages plants and crops by feeding on leaves, new shoots and
fruit.
Why do we need
to control it?
Economic
Impact
The
impact on production costs for LBAM hosts could top $100
million. Australia estimated that LBAM causes AU$21.1
million annually in lost production and control costs, or about
1.3% of gross fruit value, for apples, pears, oranges and
grapes (Sutherst 2000). Applying this percentage to the
2005 gross value of these same crops in California of $5.4
billion (USDA NASS 2006), the estimated annual production costs
would be $70.2 million. This estimate does not include
economic costs to the nursery industry nor to other significant
host crops in California such as apricots, avocados, kiwifruit,
peaches and strawberries. If the same level of costs were
incurred by these as for the previous four crops (apples,
pears, oranges and grapes), the additional costs would be $63.1
million, based on their 2005 gross value of $4.8 billion.
Therefore, the total lost production and control costs in
California could be as large as $133 million for all of the
crops mentioned above.
Exact economic impacts on international and domestic exports
are uncertain at this time. California is the nation's leader
in agricultural exports and in 2003 shipped more than $7.2
billion in both food and agricultural commodities around the
world (CASS 2004). Some countries have specific regulations
against this pest, and many others consider it a regulated pest
that would not be knowingly allowed to enter. Additional
measures, such as preharvest treatments and postharvest
disinfestation, would likely have to be taken to ensure that
shipments to these countries are free from LBAM. In
addition, LBAM is an exotic pest, i.e., it is not established
in the continental United States, and therefore other states
within the U.S. would likely impose restrictions on the
movement of potentially infested fruits, vegetables and nursery
stock. These restrictions could severely impact the
domestic marketing of California agricultural
products.
Environmental
Impact
Establishment of this
moth could cause direct environmental damage via increased
pesticide use statewide by commercial and residential growers
and via adverse feeding impacts on native plants.
Populations of threatened and endangered plant species
could be severely threatened or extirpated should this moth
adapt to feeding on them.
Who is
responsible for pest management when it affects public
areas?
CDFA and the USDA in
conjunction with the local County Agricultural
Commissioner.
What has been
determined to be the best kind of pest
management?
Mating Disruption, as well
as other products, as part of an integrated pest management
approach.
What is mating
disruption?
Mating disruption has been
used for over 30 years for control of very specific
insects. Mating disruption has been used in cotton,
apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, walnuts, vegetable crops
and forestry. Pheromones do not kill insects. In nature,
female moths release a pheromone (perfume scent) specific to
that insect that the male moth follows to find the
female. The moths then mate, the female lays her eggs and
the larval hatch starts a new generation.
Mating disruption involves
applying very low amounts (15-20 grams/acre) of the female
pheromone. Because of the blanket of pheromone, the male
moth cannot follow the female's pheromone trail, and therefore
the moths do not mate, eggs are not fertilized and the 'mating
cycle' is disrupted.
What is
CheckMate OLR-F?
Checkmate OLR-F is a USEPA
and Cal DPR registered microencapsulated formulation of the
pheromone needed to disrupt LBAM mating for long-term
control.
Who makes this
product?
The product is manufactured
at Suterra’s facility in Bend, OR
How will this
product be applied?
Areas will be sprayed both
by ground and air.
Are there any
known side effects?
There are no known side
effects. CheckMate OLR-F has been approved and registered for
use after an extensive review of the formulated
product. There have been no reported adverse health
effects on people or pets from the product. Because the
pheromone is specific to LBAM it will not affect humans, other
beneficial insects, animals, plants or vegetable
gardens.
Will it kill
other animals or insects?
Because the pheromone is
specific to LBAM it will not affect or kill animals or other
beneficial insects.
Pheromones only disrupt the
communication between adult male and female moths. They do not
have a toxic effect on the target species or any other species
including animals, birds or other insect species.
How long will
the program last?
State and federal officials
who are monitoring the LBAM population will deem when the pest
is no longer present in the area.
When will the
treatment begin and how long will it
continue?
Treatments will start in
late July to August and continue at least throughout the
fall.
Who is Suterra
LLC?
Suterra LLC is a Bend,
Oregon based company who has been working with pheromones for
over twenty years. The company currently sells products in
the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Guatemala, Australia,
New Zealand, Republic of South Africa and the European
Union.
Who do I call
for Questions?
Call your County
Agricultural Commissioner,
Suterra LLC,
1-866-326-6737
