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Center for Plant Health Science and Technology
CPHST California Station, Salinas, CA |
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Location: 1636 E. Alisal St. Salinas, CA 93905 |
The CPHST California Station coordinates and conducts scientific and technical support activities in response to two invasive species that recently arrived in California, light brown apple moth (LBAM) and European grapevine moth (EGVM). The station develops methods and provides technical analysis of program data to manage these pests and to assist export markets of affected commodities. A coordination of efforts with other CPHST laboratories has resulted in advancements in identification, detection, and control of LBAM. The station also provides technical support and methods development to detect, delimit, and control EGVM in California.
Recent accomplishments
- Released over 600,000 sterile LBAM in a sterile insect technique (SIT) pilot project in Long Beach, CA, to evaluate the potential for use of SIT to suppress LBAM populations.
- Developed LBAM mass-rearing and collection methods allowing for production of more than 1,000 moths per tray and up to 500,000 moths per week in a small pilot-production facility.
- Validated cold treatment for control of LBAM for movement of strawberry plants for planting.
- Worked with ARS to test methyl bromide and alternative fumigants for LBAM post-harvest control for several commodities including apples, stone fruits, and caneberries.
- Worked with the University of California to develop and test regulatory control treatments and provide technical recommendations for LBAM on ornamental nursery stock. This work has resulted in the recent addition of an insect growth regulator (methoxyfenozide) and the addition of several horticultural oils to the California Department of Food and Agriculture-approved treatment list.
- Analyzed LBAM trapping records and literature to provide a technical recommendation for the size of an effective quarantine area around a new LBAM find.
- Tested a new four-component pheromone lure under California conditions and determined the use of the new lure would significantly improve trap catch over the current two-component lure.
- Supported the EGVM 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 EGVM and LBAM 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. This work has allowed refinements to current regulations on treatment of wine-making green waste and pressing procedures and resulted in the recent deregulation of red wine must.
- Established an EGVM quarantine colony and developed efficient mass-rearing methods in support of post-harvest treatment research, pesticide efficacy basic biological studies, and regulatory treatments of green waste and wine-making processes.