Country: United States

Title: Anastrepha ludens (Mexican Fruit Fly) - APHIS Establishes Quarantine Area in the Granjeno Area of Hidalgo County, Texas

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

Report:

Effective February 9, 2016, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or mexfly) quarantine area in the Granjeno area of Hidalgo County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

On February 9, one mated female mexfly was confirmed in the Granjeno area of Hidalgo County, Texas, which triggered an APHIS and Texas Department of Agriculture quarantine area. Additionally, up to March 25, 19 adult mexflies were confirmed in the cities of Mission, McAllen, expanding the quarantine in Hidalgo County to approximately 234 square miles. In cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture, APHIS is responding to these confirmed detections 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 regulated 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 22, 2016, 9 a.m.