The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has positively identified the presence of two Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata, collected during routine fruit fly monitoring. The origin of these flies, which were collected in Pompano Beach residential area of Broward County, has not been determined.
The department is placing 2,000 additional traps in a 50-square-mile area around the positive find and with the USDA, will check the traps daily. In addition, the department is setting up a certification process for host materials to move in and out of the quarantine zone.
“Though disturbing, this find confirms that our early detection system for pests and diseases is working,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. “Our staff will work closely with our federal partners to begin intensive trapping and surveillance in the Broward County area.”
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) is considered the most serious of the world’s fruit fly pests due to its potential economic harm and threat to our food supply. It attacks more than 250 different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, apples, guava, mango, tomatoes and peppers. The flies’ eggs are laid in the fruit and develop into maggots causing the fruit to rot. They then emerge as adults once the fruit falls to the ground. Medflies breed continuously when host fruits are available. Population growth may be explosive, as females are capable of producing hundreds of eggs.
There are a number of tools and techniques available to control the outbreak of Medfly. Department staff will begin applying by hand, Spinosad – an insecticide derived from a naturally-occurring soil organism and approved for use on organic crops – to a 656-foot area around the positive find. If additional flies or larva is discovered fruit stripping may be implemented to remove host material. Another important tool is the sterile insect technique, a biologically-based reproduction control method. In 2000, a cooperative effort between USDA and FDACS/DPI, initiated the Sterile Insect Technique and Mediterranean Fruit Fly Preventive Release Program. Millions of sterile Medflies are released throughout high-risk areas of the state.
In June 2010, more than 50 Mediterranean fruit flies were trapped in the Boca Raton area of Palm Beach County. An emergency response program was implemented, and 88 days later, eradication was declared. This was one of the shortest Mediterranean fruit fly eradication programs on record in the U.S.
State and federal agencies will work with local governments to keep the public involved and notified with accurate information. Residents with questions or concerns can call the department’s toll free number at 888-397-1517.
Source: FDACS news release