The Loma Prietan - March/April 2008

The Sierra Club California Nevada Regional Conservation Committee (CNRCC) recently took a position opposing the California Department of Agriculture program of using aerial spraying as a first resort against the Light Brown Apple Moth; CNRCC supports a moratorium on the spraying until spray efficacy, safety and effectiveness is determined; and it supports ingredient disclosure and informed citizenry consent.

The Light Brown Apple Moth was recently discovered in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and California central coast. Found in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and Hawaii, it destroys, stunts, or deforms young seedlings; spoils the appearance of ornamental plants; and injures citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit tree crops. The California Department of Agriculture (CDFA) claims that over two thousand plant species may be susceptible. CDFA believes that LBAM could cause serious damage to natural systems, backyard gardens, and the economy, and spread throughout much of the United States.

The LBAM does not pose a health threat to people.

CDFA has concluded that it may be possible to eradicate the LBAM and has declared a state of emergency, which allows CDFA to bypass the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A program to destroy the insect was begun in 2007 in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, with plans to expand the campaign into the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008.

CDFA has begun attacking the LBAM using an aerially-applied pheromone. Issues about application methods; spray composition and efficacy; poor communication by State officials; and a seemingly impulsive CDFA sprint to spray have led to disagreement and lawsuits over the last several months.

In January, the CDFA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in a press release that they are continuing to develop their plans for the 2008 LBAM eradication program in nine Central Coast counties and in the Bay Area. Is the Threat Real?

Just how serious a problem is this moth? California Secretary of Agriculture A. G. Kawamura wrote, "LBAM, which is not native to California, is an extremely serious insect that threatens our state's natural environment and food systems. Entomologists tell us the larvae of this prolific...moth would severely impact plants ranging from native redwoods and cypress to fruits and vegetables to endangered species like the saline clover."

But, some experts say the apple moth has been here for years without causing major damage.

How much crop damage has LBAM done in California? None. However, trade restrictions from Mexico and Canada have forced nursery owners to spray plants for shipment outside the LBAM quarantine zone. CDFA and USDA worry about a possible "perpetual quarantine" with North American trading partners if the moth spreads to the rest of the country.

Pheromones "101"

Pheromones are chemicals released by insects and other animals to influence behavior. Including attracting mates. Loma Prieta Pesticide Chair, Ruth Troetschler, explains how the pheromones would work: "In the natural world, a male insect is able to easily locate a pheromone-releasing female by following her scent trail upwind. In the technique proposed by the CDFA, so many artificial sources of pheromone are available that males have trouble finding a female."

Pheromones are not harmful to people, pets, or plants.

Spraying "How-To"

So, how do you spray pheromones? CDFA uses Checkmate OLR-F and Checkmate LBAM-F, two products in which pheromones are encapsulated with inert ingredients. The CDFA maintains that these inert ingredients are harmless and, in fact, found in everyday products (e.g., Dove soap). But...you guessed it: others say that no comprehensive studies have reviewed the effects of these ingredients on human health.

The Checkmate products are designed to last only 30 days in the environment. That means spraying must occur every 30 days. CDFA has sprayed twice in Monterey and once in Santa Cruz, and once the weather warms up will resume until CDFA traps capture no moths—some say until well into 2010. They've said they have the same plan for the rest of the Bay Area.

The USDA is testing new variation of the inerts which they hope will last longer than 30 days.

Let Us Spray?

There are significant concerns about the efficacy of the CDFA spraying plan. Pheromone products have never been sprayed on an area as densely populated and with as much biological diversity as the Central Coast and the Bay Area. David Dilworth of Helping Our Peninsula's Environment (HOPE), points out, "More effective solutions exist. Targeted pheromone-baited sticky traps are the only method that catches and kills the moth." However, the CDFA and USDA LBAM panel of international experts firmly believes the pest can best be eradicated through the use of aerial pheromone treatments accompanied by other techniques.

Health and Safety Issues

CDFA insists that aerial spraying with Checkmate products is safe. However, this synthetic pheromone has never before been sprayed on populated areas. The organization California Alliance to Stop the Spray observes, "No data exist of the potential adverse effects of acute or chronic exposure of this spray on pregnant women and children in schools and day care centers within the spray zone". In an October 2007 article, Sierra Club's Ventana Chapter asked, "Why is there a warning regarding aquatic invertebrates if the pheromone breaks down rapidly and is insoluble in water? Why does CDFA recommend keeping it out of bodies of water?"

In fact, USDA reported in its July, 2007 Revised Environmental Assessment that studies of pheromones similar to Checkmate LBAM-F have shown spraying or runoff can cause moderate to high toxicity to aquatic invertebrates. If it is not safe for marine life, why is it safe for humans and other animals?

Health complaints as a result of the spraying in Central Coast counties have yet to be analyzed. Many believe that this should be done before spraying continues. To date, no public health agency is collecting, investigating or evaluating these complaints, and the CDFA will not commit to doing so.

What You Can Do

CDFA's latest LBAM plans are in flux; they're examining new proposals, new products, and perhaps a delay of the start of spraying approach. Developments are happening faster than an every-other-month newsletter can follow. For these reasons, we must stay informed, vigilant, and active as the CDFA and USDA make their case and their plans for combating LBAM. As always, it is clear that an informed, alert, vocal citizenry is our best, most potent method of ensuring that the next steps will be reasonable steps.

Georgann Scally is a member of the Loma Prietan editorial board.