Crop-destroying light brown apple moth found in Santa Barbara County, California, agriculture officials say

Andrew Rogers

CARPINTERIA, California , December 21, 2011 (Associated Press) – California agriculture officials say more crop-destroying light brown apple moths have been found in Santa Barbara County.

The state Department of Food and Agriculture said in a news release Tuesday that five light brown apple moths have been discovered in a Carpinteria insect trap.

The discovery will trigger state and federal quarantines and an eradication program. A quarantine area hasn't been established.

Light brown apple months, which originated in Australia, were first detected in California in 2007. They are now firmly established from Sonoma to Monterey County.

The moth larvae cause significant damage to foliage and fruit.

It's the sixth time light apple moths have been discovered in Santa Barbara County.

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