"Three too many shoes have dropped," said San Diego County Farm Bureau officials this weekend. The first shoe was a lone light brown apple moth (LBAM) found at Bonsall last month. The other three shoes were a trio of moths found a mile east of Balboa Park last week.
County agricultural officials believe the invasive moths piggy-backed into the area on products imported from Hawaii, a state harboring the insect whose larvae voraciously devours leaves, buds and shoots of more than 2,000 species of plants and 250 crops including citrus, avocados cut flowers and nursery plants.
The next watershed moment could come as early as Tuesday, Aug. 10 when the federal response is expected, by some, to be outlined. County officials and Farm Bureau leaders anticipated a countywide quarantine, but emphasized pesticides would not be unleashed.
"Timing on that declaration is still unknown," San Diego County Farm Bureau officials said this weekend. "County, state, and federal officials are currently working through the situation. Thirty-five additional inspectors are en route to San Diego from other parts of the state, and country, to assist with the project."
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