A federal pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh citrus from Japan has identified the Japanese orange fly (Bactrocera tsuneonis) as posing a high risk of introduction into the United States. The 120-page assessment was prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
The agency assessed the risk of scores of insects, nematodes, funguses, viroids, viruses and other pests.
USDA APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have information that might lead the agency to revise the draft assessment before it identifies pest mitigations and proceeds with the commodity import approval process.
The draft pest risk assessment for citrus fruit for consumption from Japan will be available for review and comment until Nov. 24, 2023. View the assessment or submit comments here.
The assessment stated that the Japanese orange fly infests thin-skinned citrus fruit in China and Japan. Larvae burrow into the fruit pulp. Although multiple eggs may be laid in a single fruit, only one larva develops per fruit. Pupation may occur inside or outside the fruit. Historically, up to 63% of fruit may be infested on a single mandarin/tangerine tree.
USDA APHIS stated that the Japanese orange fly is likely to cause unacceptable consequences. It rated as “high” both the likelihood of entry and of establishment of the Japanese orange fly into U.S. citrus regions.
Learn more about the Japanese orange fly from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Source: USDA APHIS
Share this Post
Sponsored Content