Table Of Content

Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. { ” P e s t A l e r t Plant Protection and Quarantine “gt December 2008 4 Light Brown Apple Moth, o4 200 Light brown apple moth pupa. Light brown apple moth pupa encased in Adult male light brown apple moth. its cocoon. The light brown apple moth is coloring is variable, the moths are either in the trees or on weed a harmful, invasive pest that generally a pale yellowish-brown hosts. You can find them by is native to Australia. It is now with darker brown markings on inspecting the leaves of their widely distributed throughout their forewings. Light brown host plants. The larvae are leaf New Zealand, the United apple moth eggs are pale white rollers, meaning they roll leaves Kingdom, Ireland, and New and slightly overlap one another. around themselves and then spin Caledonia. Although it was Typically, the eggs are deposited a very fine web within the leaf for reported in Hawaii in the late in groups of 20 to 50, but may increased protection. 1800s, the first light brown also be found in groups of 2 to The light brown apple moth apple moth detection on the 170. Larvae are green; pupae are feeds from within the sheltering United States mainland was brown. nest it constructs. While damage not confirmed until March 2007 to leaves is not of commercial in Alameda County, California. Hosts importance in mature trees, the Since then, these moths have moth also feeds on fruit, which been identified in 14 additional Light brown apple moths often form part of the shelter. California counties. can harm more than 1,000 Damage is usually confined to In an effort to protect types of plants and trees the surface of the fruit, where American agriculture and found throughout the United tracks are eaten away. However, preserve the country’s natural States—including 250 fruits and sometimes the larvae will burrow landscape, the U.S. Department vegetables. In the larval stage, into the fruit, particularly around of Agriculture’s Animal and these pests feed on plant leaves, the stem. Feeding damage to Plant Health Inspection Service new growth area, and directly on stone fruit normally occurs in the (APHIS) and the California the fruit of some crops. 2 weeks leading up to harvest Department of Food and Vulnerable crops include and can reach economically Agriculture (CDFA) are working apples, grapes, peaches, important levels. together to eradicate this non- strawberries, and corn. At-risk At flowering, check amongst native pest from California and trees include pines, oaks, and the blossom clusters for webbing stop its potential spread to other willows. Ornamental plants, and presence of the larvae. From parts of the country. such as roses and magnolias, are then on until harvest, leaves also susceptible to damage from should be inspected for the Description these moths. webbed nests constructed by the larvae. Damage is most common In the adult stage, light brown Damage in the lower half and central parts apple moths are approximately of the tree. 8 to 10 mm long, just over half Light brown apple moth larvae the size of a dime. While adult are present for most of the year, i NATION : Sak gl # ee mes mn Adult female light brown apple moth. Light brown apple moth larva. Light brown apple moth larva. Potential Impact natural landscape, it is critical If you suspect the presence of to stop the spread of light light brown apple moths, please Light brown apple moths brown apple moth now, while notify your State department of pose a serious threat to our its population level in the United agriculture or APHIS. You can environment’s ecology, beauty, States is still relatively low. With find a listing of these offices and agricultural productivity—not this goal in mind, APHIS and at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ just in California, but across CDFA are cooperating to services/report_pest_disease/ the country. These moths have control and eradicate the pest in report_pest_disease.shtml. few natural enemies in the California. United States and reproduce at The proposed eradication Additional Information extremely rapid rates. In fact, a plan may employ a number of mature female can deposit 300 strategies simultaneously to For more information on these to 1,500 eggs during its lifespan. effectively combat the pest, pests, please visit http://www. In a 2003 study, the University including continued surveillance, aphis.usda.gov and click on Light of Minnesota concluded that mating disruption, use of Brown Apple Moth under the Hot light brown apple moths are parasitic wasps for biological Issues heading, located toward “considered highly likely of control, limited organic pesticide the bottom of the Web page. becoming established in application, sterile insect the United States” and that technology, stringent State and this would lead to negative Federal quarantine requirements, The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an consequences for agriculture and and ongoing evaluation of the equal opportunity provider and employer. natural ecosystems. In a 2007 program’s effectiveness. In economic analysis, APHIS found addition, APHIS continues to Photo credits: All photos were either that States in the Southwest, enforce import restrictions on taken by USDA employees or are part of Southeast, and along the West certain agricultural commodities the APHIS photo collection. Coast would be most at risk if to prevent the further introduction these pests spread outside of of light brown apple moth United States Department California. through international trade. of Agriculture Crop losses of 5 to 20 percent Animal and Plant Health are common in New Zealand. How You Can Help Inspection Service Using these numbers, California APHIS 18-35-013 alone could experience up to Invasive species such as light $2.4 billion in annual crop losses brown apple moths can enter if light brown apple moths the United States in a number become fully established in the of ways. One such pathway State. is routine foreign commerce; another is when travelers bring in Eradication Efforts fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, or other agricultural items Given the significant risks to from foreign countries. Please agriculture production and our leave these items in their native lands.