Insect
Control and Plant Quarantine
(801) 538-7184
The Utah Department
of Agriculture and Food currently administers several insect and plant
quarantines, which require inspection and enforcement by the state entomologist.
Quarantines currently
in effect are for European Corn Borer, Gypsy Moth, Apple Maggot, Plum
Curculio, Cereal Leaf Beetle, Pine Shoot Beetle, Japanese Beetle, Mint
Wilt and Karnal Bunt.
Phytosanitary Certificates are issued under the direction of the state
entomologist. These certificates allow Utah agriculture to ship plants
and plant products to other states and foreign countries.
The State Entomologist
also responds to public requests for professional advice and assistance.
Such assistance includes insect identification, news releases, control
recommendations and participation in various education meetings and
workshops.
Apple Maggot and Cherry Fruit Fly
The Apple Maggot survey and detection program in Utah was implemented
to provide for the state's continued participation in export markets.
Since the program's beginning in 1985, property owners are contacted
annually on orchard spray management techniques and removal of uncared
for and abandoned orchards.
Bee Inspection
The Utah Bee Inspection Act provides for inspection of all apiaries
annually in order to detect and prevent the spread of infectious bee
diseases. Without a thorough inspection program, highly contagious diseases
could spread rapidly, resulting in serious losses to the bee industry
in Utah with corresponding losses to fruit and seed crop producers who
are dependent on bees for pollination.
African Honey Bee
A survey and detection program for African Honey Bee has been in effect
for the southern border areas of Utah since 1994. Early detection supported
with information and education will be a major defense mechanism against
this devastating and alarming insect. Considerable education and public
awareness activity has occurred since the African Honey Bee was discovered
in Mesquite, Nevada in the summer of 1999.
Cereal Leaf Beetle
Cereal Leaf Beetle was discovered in Morgan County in 1984. It has since
been found in fourteen counties of northern Utah. Because Cereal Leaf
Beetle can cause a reduction in small grain production up to 75 percent,
and domestic grain markets require insect free shipments, UDAF, in cooperation
with Utah State University, conducts an annual survey and detection
program for this insect. A cooperative insectary program with USU has
provided beneficial parasitic wasps that prey on Cereal Leaf Beetle.
These beneficial parasites have now spread to all northern Utah counties
helping to reduce populations significantly.
Gypsy Moth
Gypsy Moths were first found in Utah in 1988. Since that time UDAF has
been the lead agency in the administration of a major biocontrol program
that has had a 95% success rate. Moth catches have been reduced from
2,274 in 1989 to 1 in 2002.
Mormon Cricket/Grasshopper
The information from the fall 2001 survey indicate the population of
2002 both grasshoppers and Mormon Crickets may infest 3.3 million acres
in 2002. Insect damages ranging upwards of 22.5 million dollars may
be expected. Large populations of these voracious insects over the past
four years prompted the Governor's Declaration of Agricultural Disaster.
Limited Federal and State funds have provided some relief, but many
private farmers, ranchers and homeowners must use their own resources
to control the infestation.
Utah Code and Administrative
Rules Relating to Insect and Plant Diseases and Quarantines
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