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Grapevine Moth Worries Napa Valley Grape Growers

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Mar 10, 2010 2:45 pm US/Pacific

Grapevine Moth Worries Napa Valley Grape Growers

Environment & The Green Beat

NAPA COUNTY (CBS 5 / AP) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: A European grapevine moth.
hungrypests.com

Unfortunately for winemakers, there's something that savors a cabernet grape from Napa as much as a seasoned sommelier: a voracious moth that's prompted an aggressive quarantine across the region.

Agriculture officials say they'll conduct spraying to control and eradicate the European grapevine moth. They imposed a quarantine Tuesday restricting the transport of equipment after discovering the pest in at least 32 sites across Napa Valley.

Growers, meanwhile, say they're worried that the spraying could undermine a decade-long effort toward low-impact farming practices in the Napa Valley.

The moth was first detected in the United States last September in Oakville-area vineyard. The bug managed to destroy an entire vineyard's crop at peak harvest time before anyone recognized the new invader.