The Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) Unit supports the CPHST mission by coordinating and conducting scientific and technical support activities in response to the detection of LBAM in California.  The unit also supports the USDA and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) mission of control and management of LBAM to prevent its spread.  The main focus of the unit is to develop the technology needed to implement sterile insect release technique (SIT) for LBAM suppression.  This work includes methods development and evaluation of technology for mass-rearing, irradiation, handling, release, and monitoring of sterile LBAM.   Field and laboratory evaluations are conducted to measure the mating competitiveness and field performance of released insects which are the major factors that determine the effectiveness of the SIT.  A coordination of efforts among the LBAM Unit and Fort Collins, Mission, Otis and Phoenix laboratories has resulted in advancements in identification, detection, and control of LBAM.  Experiments are also being performed to better understand the ability of LBAM to spread and disperse to new areas.  The unit also supports the USDA and CDFA efforts to detect, delimitate, and control the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) in California.

Recent  Accomplishments

• Several advancements were made in LBAM mass rearing that increased system production and efficiency allowing stable levels of production to exceed 100,000 moths per week and increased egg production and quality.  Factors affecting the growth of pathogens in the rearing system were identified for improved sanitation.   
• Added an additional 1600 square feet of rearing space and refined the adult collection system, allowing increased collection efficiency and production capacity. 
• Validated cold treatment for control of LBAM for movement of strawberry plants for planting.
• Worked with ARS and the Otis Lab to test methyl bromide and alternative fumigants for LBAM post harvest control for several commodities including apples, stonefruits and caneberries.
• Conducted studies with CDFA to test the combined effects of sterile insect release with the egg parasitoid Trichogramma platneri on suppression of LBAM in field cages.  These results showed that LBAM could be reduced by as much as 98% by a single release of sterile moths with parasitoids in field cages.  
• Supported the European grapevine moth control program by conducting studies of phenology and surveys of alternate host plants in Napa County, conducting a demonstration of mating disruption for control of EGVM on a small isolated population, testing monitoring methods for areas under area-wide control using mating disruption, and  testing different delta traps and pheromone lure formulations for specification of contract purchases for the EGVM control program.
• Conducted research using LBAM as a model organism for EGVM to assess the effects of wine making procedures on the survivability of larvae and pupae during crushing, pressing, and storage of grape must for shipping.  Over 2,000 pounds of wine grapes were processed and several thousand larvae and pupae were tested.  This work has allowed refinements to current regulations on treatment of wine making green waste and pressing procedures as well as for the shipment of red wine must.