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Comments about the European grapevine moth battle

Farmers gauge impact of hot weather

Intense, early-autumn heat in much of California has farmers monitoring their crops carefully. In areas where the temperature exceeds 100 degrees, winegrapes could be prone to sunburn. Some grapes were sunburned by earlier heat. Tomato farmers say temperatures have stayed cool in the mornings, creating dew that can lead to mold on warm afternoons. The heat will help to dry almonds that remain damp from earlier rain.

Grapevine moths reach new counties

Even though inspectors have found European grapevine moths in two new locations, authorities say they remain confident they can eradicate the pest. Three moths found in Santa Clara County have caused a quarantine zone around Gilroy and Morgan Hill, and one moth turned up in Santa Cruz County earlier this month. The quarantines restrict movement of grapes and other hosts for the invasive pest. The number of moths trapped statewide has been declining.

Council works to keep invasive species out

A diverse group of private organizations and government agencies have formed the Invasive Species Council of California. It will plan ways to keep additional invasive pests out of California. The council is developing plans for public education, early detection and rapid response to deal with the threats posed by invasive species. The council plans to identify pests that could enter California, along with strategies to keep them out.

Cling peach acreage will decline

With the harvest of cling-variety peaches now ended, California farmers have already started removing trees. A growers association says farmers have pulled 349 acres of trees and will likely remove even more as they try to balance supply and demand. Most cling peaches are canned, and imports of canned peaches continue to increase … mainly from China.

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