The (apparently evil) light brown apple moth is native to Australia and New Zealand, but until this year, it has never been found on mainland America. If unchecked, the moth could do some pretty hefty damage. The Napa wine industry alone had an estimated value of $469 million in 2006.
But there are a lot of dangerously exotic moths in Napa “representing a potentially major threat to the prized grape-growing region.” According to the Chronicle, a light brown apple moth was found in a trap (betcha didn’t know they had moth traps), making Napa the ninth Bay Area county to recently discover the moth that is a threat to 250 plants, including grapes:
In its larval stage, the light brown apple moth destroys, stunts or deforms young seedlings, spoils the appearance of ornamental plants, and injures deciduous fruit-tree crops, citrus and grapes. If unchecked it could do millions of dollars in damage.”This moth is a threat not only to agriculture but to our urban environment – our landscaping, our parks and our natural habitat,” California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A. G. Kawamura said Wednesday. “We are moving quickly to detect the extent of any infestation and contain the problem in the smallest possible area.”
The (apparently evil) light brown apple moth is native to Australia and New Zealand, but until this year, it has never been found on mainland America. If unchecked, the moth could do some pretty hefty damage. The Napa wine industry alone had an estimated value of $469 million in 2006.
But there are a lot of dangerously exotic moths in Napa “representing a potentially major threat to the prized grape-growing region.” According to the Chronicle, a light brown apple moth was found in a trap (betcha didn’t know they had moth traps), making Napa the ninth Bay Area county to recently discover the moth that is a threat to 250 plants, including grapes:
[Bonus points for anyone who recognizes the moth in the picture. Hint: it’s not the light brown apple moth.]
Moth has invaded Napa, too [SFGate]
