Media Contact: Steve Lyle, Office of Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, steve.lyle@cdfa.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO-A Mediterranean fruit fly infestation has been discovered in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles County.
CDFA crews began to examine backyard fruit and increase trapping following the discovery of a mated female Medfly in the area. Those measures led to the discovery of eight larvae in a grapefruit.
The Medfly can infest over 260 types of fruits and vegetables, causing severe impacts on California agricultural exports and backyard gardens. A permanent infestation would result in estimated annual losses of $1.3 to $1.8 billion.
This is the first Medfly infestation in Los Angeles County since 1997, when multiple flies and larvae were found in the Walnut Park area. That infestation was successfully eradicated using the same techniques that will be utilized for the current infestation.
The eradication program will consist of increased releases of sterile male flies and ground treatments within a 200 meter radius of the finds (one-eighth of a mile) set to begin Monday, September 10. Residents are scheduled to be notified Friday, September 7. These activities will continue at 10-to-14 day intervals for approximately six weeks.
A quarantine in the area is anticipated shortly. People will be urged not to remove fruits and vegetables from the quarantine zone.
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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.