The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently took several actions regarding Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantine areas.
On Oct. 9, they expanded the Mexfly quarantine in Donna, Hidalgo County. On Oct. 11, they reduced a portion of the Harlingen-Sebastian Mexfly quarantine area in Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties, and on Nov. 1, expanded that quarantine area. On Oct. 17, they expanded the Mexfly quarantine area in Edinburg, Hidalgo County.
DONNA
Expansion of the Donna quarantine is in response to the confirmed detection on Sept. 28 of Mexfly larvae in fruit on a residential property. USDA APHIS and TDA established the quarantine on Aug. 15 following the detection of Mexfly larvae in citrus fruit in a commercial grove. The quarantine area increased by 25 square miles to 96 square miles and contains 940 acres of commercial citrus.
HARLINGEN-SEBASTIAN
Changes to the Harlingen-Sebastian quarantine area include release of a 50-square-mile portion in Cameron County after three generations elapsed since the date of the last detection in that portion. Changes also include a 2-square-mile expansion in a section of Cameron County, following the confirmed detections on Oct. 23 of Mexfly larvae in citrus fruit on a residential property. The quarantine area currently encompasses 321 square miles, including 1,332 acres of commercial citrus.
EDINBURG
Expansion of the Edinburg quarantine is in response to the confirmed detection on Oct. 10 of a wild mated female Mexfly from a trap in a grapefruit tree, and on Oct. 15 of Mexfly larvae in grapefruit in a commercial grove. USDA APHIS and TDA established the quarantine on Aug. 30, following the detection of Mexfly larvae in orange fruit on a residential property. The quarantine area increased by 36 square miles to 107 square miles and contains 5,679 acres of commercial citrus.
USDA APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States, as well as to prevent the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade. USDA APHIS is working with TDA to eradicate transient Mexfly populations.
The APHIS exotic fruit flies website contains descriptions and maps of the new quarantine areas, as well as all current federal fruit fly quarantine areas.
Source: USDA APHIS
Share this Post
Sponsored Content