Country: United States

Title: Bactrocera correcta (Guava Fruit Fly) – Establishment of a Quarantine Area in Long Beach Area of Los Angeles, California

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

Report:

On May 13, 2015, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a guava fruit fly regulated area in the Long Beach area of Los Angeles, California. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles from this area. This guava fruit fly outbreak is considered transient, actionable, and under eradication.

On May 6, six male guava fruit flies (GFFs), were trapped in the city of Long Beach, Los Angeles County. On May 12 and May 13, two additional male GFFs were trapped and confirmed in the same area. These detections trigger the establishment of the 80 square mile area quarantine in Long Beach, California.

The GFF is an exotic insect originating in southern Asia. GFF is known to attack numerous types of fruits and vegetables. Important California crops at risk include cherry, grape, guava, mandarin, melon, and peach. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs in the fruit. The eggs hatch into larvae that tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

APHIS is working with California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Commissioner of Los Angeles County to respond to these detections following program survey and treatment protocols. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of GFF to non-infested areas of the United States.

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

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fruit_flies/quarantine.shtml

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

Posted Date: June 15, 2015, 9 a.m.