Delay on moth-protection measures expected

Despite the discovery of a second light brown apple moth near Sonoma last weekend, it will be at least next week before new state and federal restrictions are imposed on those transporting agricultural products and plant materials from the area, Sonoma County’s agricultural commissioner said Friday.

Commissioner Lisa Correia said nurseries and growers affected by the new quarantines will be familiar with the drill because of inspection and certification protocols in place for other pests, such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

“For those individuals this is just one more thing, one additional set of restrictions,” Correia said. “So we’re in touch with those individuals, and are continuing to make sure they can ship next week.”

Agriculture officials Friday said the “core area” for the most intensive trapping and inspections is between Arnold Drive and Boyes Hot Springs.

California Department of Food and Agriculture personnel already have begun installing additional traps for the invasive moth in the immediate vicinity of Sunday’s find in the Boyes Hot Springs area.

Local growers and nursery owners also are advised to keep an eye out for insects or eggs that are different from what they usually see, though the moth itself is difficult to differentiate from many other moths.

The state food and agriculture agency announced Thursday that tests Monday confirmed a moth found in a trap a day earlier was a light brown apple moth, an Australian native that feeds on more than 2,000 different host plants, including more than 250 crops.

Correia said the discovery of the second moth northwest of Sonoma, in the Boyes Hot Springs area, is less than a mile from where the county’s first light brown apple moth was found Feb. 15 near Arnold Drive and Craig Avenue, not far from the Sonoma Golf Club.

Economists have estimated an infestation could cost the state $160 million to $640 million in annual crop losses.

Correia said the discovery of a second moth does not necessarily signal a local infestation. But it triggers regulatory action for the first time.

A federal quarantine will mean produce, plants, cut flowers and other plant materials shipped from any nursery inside Sonoma County to locations outside California can be transported only after certain inspections and certifications are made, she said.

Nurseries also must have ongoing trapping for the moth if those traps were not in place during the past year, she said.

Low-density trapping also would be required in croplands or production areas -- vineyards or orchards, for example -- of any county agricultural products headed out of state.

More intensive trapping, put in place this week, and inspections will be conducted inside the core area, an oval-shaped area with a radius of about 1 1/2 miles containing about 10 nurseries, Correia said.

Any commodities moved off property or outside that area will require inspection, she said.