Country: United States

Title: Anastrepha ludens (Mexican Fruit Fly) - APHIS Establishes Quarantine Area in the Rio Hondo Area of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas

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

Report:

Effective April 22, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine area in the Rio Hondo area of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

On April 20, one mated female was confirmed in the Rio Honda area of Texas. On April 22, one Mexfly larva was detected and subsequently confirmed. APHIS, in cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is responding to the confirmed detections with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 73 square miles of Cameron and Willacy Counties. 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: May 23, 2016, 9 a.m.