Mexican Fruit Fly (MxFF) San Diego County San Diego On October 15 and 16, 1998, thirty (30) Mexican fruit flies were trapped at three nearby locations. All of the finds are outside the San Diego Mexican Fruit Fly eradication zone. CDFA will be expanding the eradication zone to include these new finds. One unmated female MxFF was trapped October 15th along Rigel Street. On October 16th two male and one female MxFF were trapped along Webster Avenue. The female was mated. In addition 26 MxFF were found in one trap placed along J Street. Three of the females were mated. All of MxFF were detected in McPhail traps that had been placed in sapote. In response, CDFA will begin ground treatment with malathion bait to all hosts within 200 meters of the finds. In addition the sterile MxFF release program for San Diego will be expanded to cover these new finds. Also fruit cutting for MxFF larvae near the finds is in progress. The trap density in the area was ten McPhail traps per square mile. In response, the McPhail trap density will be increased as needed to 160 traps in the core square miles around the two mated female sites and 80 traps per square mile in the core of the remaining site. Forty traps per square mile will be placed in the square miles adjacent to the cores. CDFA inspector Laurie Whitcomb is credited with finding the Mexican fruit flies. CDFA Insect Biosystematist Kevin Hoffman made the determination.
Prepared by: John Pozzi |
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