Potential apple maggot quarantine for Okanogan County is meeting topic

A meeting regarding a potential apple maggot quarantine for Washington states Okanogan County is set for Marc 3 from 1:30-3 p.m. PST.

In 2020, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) placed a total of 281 adult fly traps on host trees in the pest-free area of Okanogan County. WSDA documented 69 positive sites that captured 471 adult apple maggots.  WSDA sampled hawthorn berries for AM larvae at three positive sites. These sites yielded over 385 AM pupa in red hawthorn in Okanagan County.

In accordance with WSDA policies, the finding of two or more life stages of apple maggot indicates a reproducing apple maggot population which often leads to a new or expanded quarantine area, this is not an automatic outcome.

Representatives of WSDA and of the Apple Maggot Working Group are seeking discussions about the pending quarantine with the Okanogan County growers/shippers who are likely to be impacted by this action.

This meeting will cover:

• Update on apple maggot finds in Okanogan County;
• Explanation of what triggers a quarantine;
• Explanation of what a quarantine means for growers and packers in Okanogan County;
• Request for feedback;
• Q&A.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions this meeting will be available via conference call/web interface.

To join via computer: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/8297476290  Meeting ID: 829 747 6290 To join via phone: 1 253 215 8782 Meeting ID: 829 7476290

Contacts Michael R. Bush WA State Dept Agriculture- Plant Protection Division (509) 249-6966 mrbush@agr.wa.gov

Will Carpenter Chelan/Douglas Pest Board (509) 393-0975 Will.Carpenter@CO.CHELAN.WA.US

Tianna DuPont Washington State University Extension (509) 713-5346 tianna.dupont@wsu.edu