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A light brown apple moth was discovered last week on Ramal Road, bringing the total to three of the invasive pests found in the Valley this year.

The newest discovery was found roughly seven-miles from the state-imposed quarantine zone that has been in place since May. "We've increased trapping and surveying in that area to see if there's anything there," said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, who added there are currently no plans to quarantine the area or use pheromone induced twist ties. "If we find another moth then we'll have to revaluate where we are."

A 15-square-mile stretch of Sonoma Valley, located along Arnold Drive from Leveroni to Madrone Road, has been under state quarantine since May after two moths were discovered in the same vicinity - the first found in February and the second in April. The quarantine restricts the transport of any plant material in or out of the zone to limit the moth's movement. CDFA confirmed Thursday that a third moth was discovered in a trap along Ramal Road. Lyle said his department will closely monitor that section of town in coming weeks. Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Lisa Correia said the state will place more than 300 insect traps throughout the area to search for more moths.

"They started putting up additional traps Friday," Correia said, adding that more frequent inspections are also planned.

Because the third moth was discovered far outside the quarantine zone, it is considered a separate find that will not impact the quarantine on Arnold Drive. Agriculture officials said, assuming no more moths are found within the quarantine zone, it will likely be lifted early this fall. "We're preparing for the worst but hoping for the best, that no more will be found and we'll be out from under the quarantine by the end of September," Correia said.

The light brown apple moth is an invasive pest native to Australia that was first discovered in California in March of 2007, but did not make it to Sonoma until last February. Agriculture officials have repeatedly said that left unchecked, the moth could cost the state billions of dollars in crop loss. Critics challenge that assertion and insist that to achieve its present distribution it would have to have been present in California for decades.

Plans to eradicate the moth sparked massive protests from residents across Northern California. Last year, nearly 600 residents in Santa Cruz and Monterey County flooded area hospitals with respiratory complaints after the CDFA used an aerial pheromone spray called CheckMate to confuse the moths' mating behavior. When the spraying was banned, CDFA planned to use hundreds of pheromone-laced twist ties, meant to have the same impact on moths. Plans were made to distribute the ties throughout the quarantine zone, causing several Valley residents to protest the idea and put up signs on their lawns that read "CDFA No Twist Ties Here."

Last Friday CDFA announced it will not use any twist ties in Sonoma. The plan was put on hold in June pending further investigation from the Department of Fish and Game as to whether the ties could impact other wildlife, primarily in stream corridors. While Lyle said Fish and Game found the ties are safe for all animals, enough time has lapsed without any more moths detected that the ties were no longer deemed necessary.

"If we had applied (the twist ties), we'd now be at the point where we were removing them," Lyle said. "If we don't find anymore (moths), we'll lift the quarantine without ever having placed a twist tie."

Lyle said twist ties are not completely off the table, and could still be utilized if more moths are found in the area.

Jeff Stewart, winemaker for Buena Vista, whose vineyards span much of Ramal Road, said his team is not making any major changes because of the moth. "I don't know what it's going to lead to," he said. "It's something the whole industry is concerned about. It's something we all need to watch out for to make sure there isn't a problem."

Grape growers within the quarantine zone must take extra steps to make sure their product is safe for transport. Vineyard owners can agree to an inspection by state agriculture officials, who can declare the vineyard pest-free and allow the grapes to be moved as usual.

Vineyard owners who refuse the inspection are only allowed to transport grapes if the trucks are covered by a tarp, and the waste from the grapes must be disposed of by an approved method.

"Most are agreeing to the inspection," said Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.

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