ST. HELENA, Calif., March 12 (UPI) -- A nearly 162-square-mile region of prime grape-growing land in California's Napa Valley was quarantined to halt the spread of the invasive European grape moth.
The moth first was spotted last September and destroyed one vineyard's 9-acre harvest and damaged other vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Solana counties, said Greg Clark, the assistant agricultural commissioner for Napa County.
"This is a serious threat to grape-growing, not just in Napa County but throughout California," Clark told The San Francisco Chronicle "We don't want it to become established because we've seen the damage this pest can do, and the damage can be severe."
The quarantine means government agricultural employees will regulate the harvest, shipping and handling of grapes, persimmons, olives, kiwis, pomegranates, and other fruits favored by the moth.
Traps are being set throughout the region and growers may use pesticides, Clark said. It has not been determined how the moth made its way to the region.
