Wine News

The light brown apple moth (LBAM) has been detected in California.

LBAM adults are variable in colour and are often confused with other varieties of leafroller moths. In February the moth was discovered in Alameda County and the pest has now infested numerous areas including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin and Santa Clara.

Usually residing in orchards and vineyards across Australia, young larvae of the moth settle on the underside of leaves where they spin a protective web in which they feed.

After their first moult they abandon the web to construct feeding niches between adjacent leaves, between a leaf and a fruit, in the developing bud, or on a single leaf, where the renowned leaf roll develops. Causing damage to foliage and fruit, the moth has been listed as a quarantine pest by all major overseas markets of Australian oranges.

LBAM distribution in Australia is centred in the southern states of NSW, Victoria and South Australia.  It is believed to have been brought into California on infested plant material by private passengers on airlines.