Country: United States

Title: Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in California

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Report:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) detected Mexican fruit flies in the Monterey Park area of Los Angeles County, California. As of October 24, 2002, one adult male, three sexually immature females, and one larvae have been detected.

The proposed quarantine area is limited to approximately 70 square miles of residential properties in or around Monterey Park and South San Gabriel. According to USDA and CDFA eradication protocols and procedures, the detection of one to four male or unmated female Mexican fruit flies will initiate a regulatory action of immediate hold orders on host fruit within a 200 meter radius of each detection. Under the quarantine trigger, the detection of five or more flies within a 3 mile radius and one life cycle, the detection of a mated female, or the detection of an immature form will trigger a quarantine on all host fruit within a 4.5 mile radius around each property on which Mexican fruit fly has been detected.

A Proclamation of Eradiction was issued by CDFA on October 16, 2002, with a treatment zone of approximately 14 square miles. Treatment consists of malathion and bait spray applied to all host plants on properties with a 200-meter radius of each find site with followup sterile Mexian fruit flies release over the entire eradication area.

The infestation represents a threat to the agriculture and environment of California and other U.S. mainland States. APHIS is cooperating with CDFA in delimiting surveys, treatment applications, regulation, environmental monitoring, and development of a program specific Mexican Fruit Fly Cooperative Program Environmental Assessment. 

Posted Date: Nov. 14, 2002, 9 a.m.