First EGVM found, containment measures taken

The first European grapevine moth of 2011 has been found,
leaving the existing quarantine zone unchanged but sparking a new
treatment area.
“It has not changed the quarantine area,” said Lisa Correia,
Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner. “Normally what happens, for
each find there’s a 500 meter area around that find that is
supposed to be treated…
We have notified the growers in that area about the new find and
the procedure for treating.”
The moth was found near the intersection of Vine Hill and
Guerneville Road. It was positively identified Monday of last week,
and growers in the affected area were notified shortly thereafter.
An announcement of the season’s first find went out to countywide
grapegrowers on Monday.
Peak first generation flight for Sonoma County has concluded,
but more moths may yet be found in traps due to a two-week
delay.
“Our traps are serviced every two weeks, and we could have
serviced this trap two weeks ago. It goes to the state, and it
takes maybe three days to hear back from them. Because of that, it
could be 15 days old,” Correia said.
This year’s find was approximately 1,000 meters northeast of two
EGVM finds from 2010. Because of the delay in trapping time, the
use of mating disruptors, and the vagaries of weather, it is still
uncertain whether there are fewer or more moths compared to last
year.
“Last year at this time we were into much higher numbers,”
Correia said. “But we don’t know whether we have found fewer or
more yet, because we don’t know where we are as far as the
peak.”
Still, EGVM experts and officials are hopeful that last year’s
treatments have resulted in a decreased population.
“I won’t be surprised if we have a handful more. I’d expect it
would be less than last year. The important thing is that as we do
find these, we communicate to the affected growers so they can make
the proper treatment for us to control the pests and get
deregulated in the future,” Correia said.
The first sweep has been made through urban and residential
areas within 500 meters of a find to remove flower clusters or
offer treatment options. Growers in warm regions of Sonoma County
have been encouraged to apply organic treatments this week, and
conventional treatments this week or next. Egg hatch has been
delayed in cooler regions and growers have been advised to delay
treatment until further notice.
Staff writer Lynda Hopkins can be reached at ly***@hb*****.com.