The light brown apple moth, thought to be eradicated from Santa Barbara County, has returned to Carpinteria. The moth is categorized by agricultural officials as a “Class A” pest due to its ability to damage hundreds of crops. Santa Barbara County’s top crops include a $231 million strawberry industry, followed by broccoli, wine grapes, lettuce, and celery. The California Department of Food and Agriculture is working on a statewide eradication program.
