Curse you, light brown apple moth

In a battle of invasive pests versus eradication efforts, the pest sometimes wins with an assist from the public. That's the sobering report from California, where some communities have stopped aerial spraying of the light brown apple moth because of citizen complaints. Here are some headlines:

Moth spraying suspended

Albany stands up to spray, tree removal

Hundreds of health complaints followed apple moth spraying


The USDA has recognized the gravity of the situation. From the USDA comes this press release:

CONNER ANNOUNCES NEARLY $75 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH ERADICATION

From the USDA story:

The light brown apple moth was first confirmed in Alameda County, Calif. on March 22, 2007 and soon after was identified in 11 other counties. Since the initial detection, USDA has been working cooperatively with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to conduct surveillance, trapping and treatment. In August 2007, USDA provided more than $15 million in emergency funding for eradication efforts. This latest funding will be used to continue and expand those activities in 2008.

USDA also will initiate a 50-state national detection survey to verify that light brown apple moth is not present anywhere else in the continental United States. Nursery stock, which is a major pathway for the spread of this pest, will be a target of the survey. Other priority areas for the survey include orchards and urbanized areas with ornamental plantings that are attractive to the light brown apple moth.

The light brown apple moth is native to Australia and also is found in New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. This pest is of particular concern because it threatens crops as well as plants and trees, such as California's prized cypress and redwoods and many other varieties commonly found in urban and suburban landscaping, public parks and the natural environment.

TK: It is one thing to object to aerial spraying ; what will the public with a bias against big ag do if they are asked to stand aside while state and federal officials uproot their suburban landscaping? California agriculture and industry officials face a massive public relations challenge as eradication efforts will continue in the months and weeks ahead. That battle it is undoubtedly better than the alternative of waving the white flag to the Australian invader.