Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding Mendocino County to the light brown apple moth (LBAM) regulated area in California. A Federal Order describes the expanded regulated area and the requirements for the interstate movement of LBAM-regulated articles. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of LBAM into non-infested areas of the United States. APHIS, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and local county agricultural commissioners, maintains its survey and regulatory framework to prevent the artificial spread of LBAM to other states or trading partners.
LBAM is native to Australia and has established populations in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii. The host range for LBAM includes more than 250 plant species. A map of the federal quarantine area is at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/lbam_maps.
Under IPPC standards, Epiphyas postvittana is considered to be a pest that is present: only in some areas and subject to official control in the United States.