Project History
This site was developed by the leek moth team at Cornell University as a repository of information from our research and extension programs which began in 2009, as well as valuable information developed by our colleagues in Canada.
Site developers include:
Amy Ivy, Extension Educator, CCE Clinton County
Dr. Anthony Shelton, Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell
Dan Olmstead, Research Support Specialist, Department of Entomology, Cornell
Chris Cooley, Cooley Creative LLC
In fall 2022, the site was moved to and is now maintained by University of Vermont Extension (with permission of the NYS Integrated Pest Management Program).
Leek moth was first discovered in the US in 2009 in Plattsburgh, NY (Clinton County) in a home garden on onions and garlic. That summer the NY State Dept. of Ag & Markets set out some pheromone traps in the vicinity of the first find. In 2010 may more traps were deployed across northern NY, just south of the areas in Canada where leek moth was known to be established. Leek moth adults were trapped and confirmed in northern St. Lawrence County. We found more infestations by scouting fields than we caught in traps.
In August 2010 the original team received funding from the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to study insecticide efficacy and expand education and outreach throughout northern NY and beyond. In 2011 the spread of leek moth was slower than anticipated. It reappeared in all the sites where it was found the previous year, with only a few additional locations, despite extensive scouting in adjacent areas. Lab trials on spray efficacy have been conducted, but to date we have not had a suitable field infestation to conduct on-farm trials.
In the intervening years, leek moth has spread to all but three counties in Vermont. Victor Izzo and Scott Lewins at the University of Vermont are currently conducting surveys throughout Vermont and New England.
Funding for the original website was provided by a grant from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Portions of the research and education conducted in New York have also been funded by:
- New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets
- Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) Program
We gratefully acknowledge the information and support provided by our colleagues and organizations:
