Country: United States

Title: Anastrepha ludens (Mexican Fruit Fly): APHIS Establishes a Quarantine in Laredo, Webb County, Texas

Contact:
Richard Johnson, National Fruit Fly Policy Manager, at 301-851-2109

Report:

Effective November 2, 2018, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of Laredo, Webb 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 November 2, APHIS confirmed a mated female Mexfly in Laredo, Texas. APHIS, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is responding to this confirmed detection with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 37.6 square miles of Laredo, Webb County. There is no commercial citrus nor are there packing sheds within the quarantine area. 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: Dec. 12, 2018, 9 a.m.