Officials in San Joaquin Valley about to go to war against European grapevine moth
By APFriday, May 7, 2010
War on against new farm pest in San Joaquin Valley
SAN FRANCISCO — Agriculture officials in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley are about to go to war against an insect with a devastating appetite for grapes.
Since grapes are the valley’s top crop, pulling in about $725 million year, officials are moving aggressively after three European grapevine moths were caught in traps in separate locations in Fresno County during the last week.
More than 80 square miles around the area where the moths were found have been placed under quarantine. And, chemical treatment is set to begin next week.
The discovery of the moth comes as growers across the valley are already dealing with other pests, including the Mediterranean fruit fly, the light brown apple moth and the Asian citrus psyllid.
