Environmental impact report released on light brown apple moth control program

California Dept. of Food and Agriculture
has released its final environmental impact
report on light brown apple moth control tactics.

California Dept. of Food and Agriculture has released its final environmental impact report for the light brown apple moth. The report determined that it was unlikely that the program’s control approaches would cause human harm or environmental damage. The report indicated that the greater potential for human and environmental harm would come from widespread pesticide use by private parties and organizations in the absence of a light brown apple moth program.
The approaches evaluated include the use of moth pheromone, organically-approved materials and sterile moths. The only 2 treatment methods being considered currently are placement of pheromone twist ties on plants and the release of sterile moths. The sterile release project is the preferred alternative identified in the report. CDFA is not currently considering aerial applications of pheromone.
The report states that eradication is the goal. However, the application is broad and would apply to either an eradication or control strategy, depending on the needs of the program.