Apple moths discovered near Sebastopol

Two insects found near Sebastopol have been confirmed as apple moths, prompting a quarantine of produce in the area once known for its acres and acres of apple orchards.

The first moth was confirmed in November and this week a second moth in the area was identified, said Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Cathy Neville.

The moth is considered a danger to many crops including apple trees, grapes and nursery plants.

Under state regulations, a geographic area that has confirmed the presence of two or more of the moths must be placed under quarantine, prohibiting grape growers and other farmers from transporting their crops until their fields are inspected and declared pest-free.

Neville said the boundaries of the Sebastopol quarantine will be announced Friday afternoon, but will include various nurseries, vineyards and farms.

The exact location of the moths was not available Wednesday.

“We are continuing to survey and trap in the area to determine the size of the infestation,” said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “There will be a quarantine, but we won’t know the boundaries until the trapping and surveying is complete.”

The state has ordered quarantine areas extending from west of Arnold Drive near Sonoma to Benicia State Park east of Vallejo, following the discovering of 22 apple moths last year. The quarantine area includes more than 2,500 acres of Napa County vineyards.

The apple moth originated in Australia. It was confirmed in California about two years ago and has been blamed for crop destruction, mostly in the Bay Area.