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A portion of California’s Orange County has been placed under quarantine for the Oriental fruit fly. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reported the quarantine Nov. 6. It followed the detection of eight flies in and around the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
The quarantine zone measures 87 square miles. It is bordered on the north by Anaheim, on the south by John Wayne Airport, on the west by Huntington Beach and on the east by State Highway 55. See more information about the fly and a quarantine map here.
Agriculture officials use a male attractant technique as the mainstay of the eradication effort for this invasive species. This approach has successfully eliminated dozens of fruit fly infestations in California. Workers apply fruit fly attractant mixed with a dose of an organic pesticide, spinosad, approximately 8 to 10 feet off the ground on street trees, power poles, street lights and similar surfaces. Male fruit flies are attracted to the mixture and perish after consuming it. The male attractant treatment program is being carried out over an area that extends 1.5 miles from each site where the Oriental fruit flies were trapped.
The vast majority of fruit flies and other invasive species that threaten California’s crops and natural environment are found in urban and suburban communities rather than agricultural areas.
The Oriental fruit fly is known to target more than 230 different fruit, vegetable and plant commodities. Important California crops at risk include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados and many vegetables. Damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.
Those with questions may call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899. Additional information may be found here.
Source: CDFA
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