Light Brown Apple Moth - Agriculture, Division of (DIV)

The Light brown apple moth is native to Australia and is found in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii. There are more than 250 plant species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest. Major domestic hosts of concern include ornamental plants, oak trees, stone fruit (peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and apricots), apples, pears, grapes and citrus. The pest destroys, stunts, or deforms young seedlings; spoils the appearance of ornamental plants; and injures deciduous fruit-tree crops, citrus, and grapes.

Quarantine area:
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has established a quarantine area in several counties due to the infestation of the light brown apple moth. To see a map of the quarantine areas in Santa Clara County, please click on the attachment below. If you would like to see maps of the other quarantine areas, you can click on the link below for the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s website. People who are unsure if they are within the quarantine zone are asked to assume that they are.

Restrictions: (updated as of 9-2-09)
* Homeowners: Non-commercial, home-grown fruits and vegetables (including leafy green vegetables) are now allowed to move within a regulated county. However, homeowners are urged not to move fruit and vegetables with small holes, leaf material, or signs of feeding damage caused by a caterpillar. This exemption from inspection and certification only applies to fruits and vegetables. It does not apply to backyard-grown cut flowers or decorative cut greens.
* Food Bank Charities: Fruits and vegetables grown by homeowners in the regulated area can move to food banks without inspection as long as the product is distributed in a regulated county. This exemption from inspection only applies to fruits and vegetables (including leafy green vegetables) - it does not apply to backyard-grown cut flowers or cut greens for decorative purposes.

What about yard trimmings?
Please utilize your curbside green waste services. Yard trimmings should not be transported outside the regulated areas. The green waste services in the quarantine areas operate under compliance agreements with our office, so please use their services to dispose of these materials.

Traps:
If you have questions about a LBAM trap, please call the California Department of Food and Agriculture office in San Jose at (408) 254-8573.