The city of Weston in Florida reported in early April that one male peach fruit fly was found in a trap near Davie, Florida. This pest attacks at least 50 different hosts, including citrus, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
The city reported that a perimeter has been established that includes a number of municipalities as a buffer. FDACS Division of Plant Industry is increasing vigilance by placing more traps within the vicinity as a proactive approach to locate any additional flies, the city stated in a media release. It said the public may see an increase in state trucks in the area as workers place and check on fly traps.
The peach fruit fly is active throughout much of the year, and in many places is considered a very serious pest of crops. It would devastate many of the fruits grown in southern Florida. Peach fruit flies are not established in southeast Florida, the city stated.
The peach fruit fly is a pest of stone fruits, citrus and other cultivated and wild fruits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). It is native to Asia.
Peach fruit fly adults need to feed on nectar, plant sap and decaying fruit to mature sexually and for general survival. They normally feed during the morning but will also feed during full daylight. Night is spent under foliage or any other protective crevice of hosts and non-hosts.
Peach fruit fly causes damage similar to that of the Oriental fruit fly. These two species often compete against one another and are attracted to the same trap-and-lure combination.
For more information on fruit fly pests, review this FDACS brochure.
Sources: The City of Weston, Florida; USDA APHIS; FDACS
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