Cherry bark tortrix moths found in Oregon

MILWAUKIE - Cherry bark tortrix moths have invaded Oregon.

The moths, which come from Europe, first arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1991, invading Washington state.

They were discovered in Oregon last week at two locations in Clackamas and Multnomah counties.

Oregon Department of Agriculture entomologist Barry Bai is working with his Washington counterparts to import some natural enemies of the cherry bark tortrix moth from Europe.

The first shipment of parasitic wasps that feed on the moth larvae is due next week.

The initial wasp release will be in heavily infested orchards in Washington.

So far, only two cherry bark tortrix moths have been trapped in Oregon. The state Department of Agriculture began setting out additional traps last week to determine whether those are isolated instances or the first sign of a larger infestation.