Country: United States

Title: Anastrepha ludens (Mexican Fruit Fly): APHIS Establishes a Quarantine in the San Perlita Area of Willacy County, Texas

Contact:
John Stewart, National Fruit Fly Policy Manager, at 919-855-7426

Report:

Effective March 14, 2018, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of San Perlita, Willacy County, Texas. The quarantine area includes 1.5 acres of commercial citrus; therefore, APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

On March 14, APHIS confirmed one mated female adult Mexfly in the San Perlita area of Texas. In cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), APHIS is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 82 square miles of Willacy County. APHIS is working with TDA to respond to this detection following program survey and treatment protocols. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States.

The establishment of this quarantine area is reflected on the following designated website, which contains a description of all the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

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

Under IPPC Standards, Anastrepha ludens is considered to be a pest that is transient, actionable, and under eradication in the United States.

Posted Date: April 2, 2018, 9 a.m.