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P e s t A l e r t
Plant Protection and Quarantine
“gt December 2008
4 Light Brown Apple Moth,
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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
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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.
