Oriental Fruit Fly

San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) trapped three wild Oriental fruit flies (OFF) in central Escondido, which were confirmed on Thursday 8/20 by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).  Currently, there is no impact to growers unless more flies are detected.  Three more males or a mated female or larva will trigger a quarantine.  All previous eradication efforts in San Diego County have been successful. Since the finds are in an agricultural area, AWM is offering the Pre-Quarantine Treatment Program to growers whose crops may be impacted by the possible quarantine. CDFA is the lead agency on this cooperative project and will conduct the eradication activities with AWM and USDA in supportive roles. Delimitation trapping is being done. Hold orders not to move backyard fruit are being issued to the affected residents’ properties.  Treatments using Spinosad will start on those properties.  The Male Attractant Technique will start soon to reduce the pest population. 

Throughout the long history of fruit fly finds and quarantines in San Diego County there has never been an OFF quarantine. In the event of a quarantine growers of host material would have to make four bait treatments over a 30 day period before being allowed to harvest and ship. At a recent meeting, growers were given the option to initiate pre-quarantine bait treatments to reduce the possible wait time. Growers so interested are to contact Robert Roma of County Ag at 790-752-4700 or Robert.roma@sdcounty.ca.gov.  To see the PowerPoint presentation from the meeting click here.