Country: United States

Title: Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean Fruit Fly): APHIS Establishes Quarantine Area in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, California

Contact:
Richard Johnson, Fruit Fly National Policy Manager, at (301) 851-2109 or richard.n.johnson@usda.gov.

Report:

Effective November 16, 2021, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) established a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) quarantine area in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, California.  APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area. 

This action is in response to the CDFA’s confirmation of a mature, unmated female Medfly on October 25, and a subsequently confirmed male Medfly on November 9 from Jackson traps placed in backyard citrus trees in residential areas of Upland, California.  There are 15.75 acres of commercial agricultural production in the quarantine area.  Currently, the quarantine area encompasses 95 square miles. 

APHIS is working with CDFA and the San Bernardino and Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioners to respond to these detections following program survey and treatment protocols.  This action is necessary to eradicate Medfly from this area and prevent the spread of Medflies to non-infested areas of the United States.

The following website reflects the establishment of this quarantine area and a description of all the current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/ff-quarantine

Under IPPC standards, Ceratitis capitata is a transient pest under eradication that is present only in one area in California. This species is not widely distributed and is under official control in the United States.

Posted Date: Jan. 3, 2022, 3:50 p.m.