Controlling the Light Brown Apple Moth Invasion

Native to New Zealand and Australia, the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) was recently classified as a “noxious species” in the United States and Canada. Their West Coast invasion discovered in 2007 created a firestorm of controversy in California. The larvae are known to destroy crops; however the threat in the United States is still under debate. The government initially reacted by spraying pesticides but adverse health effects are being reported but recently pesticides faced stout opposition and the government found alternative ways to control the pest.

The LBAM was discovered through DNA testing at UC Davis which then passed on the information to the Department of Agriculture and the EPA. The US Department Of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reacted fast along with the EPA by quarantining the infected areas and restricting crop shipments from Mexico and Canada, the suspected culprits of bringing the LBAM to America. The pest seemed to be spreading, so the EPA and APHIS immediately acted an emergency eradication program involving pesticides.

Spraying of pesticides with pheromones to cause hormonal reactions in the LBAM’s were unsuccessful and within a year respiratory and health reactions were reported in the two California counties where the pesticide was sprayed. I agree with the public officials, government officers, and environmental groups who banded together to convince the California Agricultural Commissioner to use alternate means of eradication.

A perfect example of official and unofficial actors, angered citizens Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi along with a coalition of 8 California Cities and 185 non-profit groups called to end the spraying. The opposition shows that the public opinion can change government decisions through nothing but large support and petitioning. Also, the other means of eradication seem much less harmful to the environment and human health. The USDA Agriculture Research Service has developed thousands of sterile moths that will be released to control the population of the pests. This solution is more humane and can be implemented without any threat to human or plant life. Also, this solution has worked with the Mediterranean Fruit Fly and has been proven not to completely eradicate but allow population control.