Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected in Half Moon Bay CA

Article Source: County of San Mateo CA

Subject: NEWS: Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected in Half Moon Bay

Nov. 20, 2017 For Immediate Release

Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected in Half Moon Bay

County of San Mateo Ag Commissioner Increases Traps to Determine Extent

Redwood City — An extensive delimitation survey has begun in response to the detection of one Mediterranean fruit fly (MFF) in the City of Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner Fred Crowder announced today in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The delimitation survey will place an additional 200 MFF traps over approximately 17 square miles surrounding the coast side property where the fly was trapped. Three types of traps are placed in fruit trees — a plastic Multi Lure Trap with a three-component lure, a small triangular white cardboard “Jackson” trap that uses a pheromone lure and a yellow rectangular “Champ” trap that also uses a pheromone lure.

Residents in the area have been notified of the find and have been supportive of the placement of additional traps and the daily servicing’s by pest detection staff.

The goal is to determine if this is a single introduction or if there may be a breeding population. “Our pest detection program to detect damaging invasive species like the Mediterranean fruit fly is working,” Crowder said. “Early detection and control of Mediterranean fruit fly is critical to not only prevent impacts to the agricultural and urban communities, but prevent the imposition of quarantines by trading partners preventing the sale and movement of California crops.” MFF has the widest host range of any pest fruit fly and is considered the most important agricultural pest in the world. It is known to target over 250 different cultivated fruits, vegetables including apples, plum, peach, grape, fig, loquat, oranges, lemons, peach, persimmon, grapes, tomatoes, and walnut. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the ripening fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots and tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it inedible and unmarketable.

In California, the combined 2011 gross value of the Mediterranean fruit fly hosts was more than $16.5 billion. While fruit flies and other pests that threaten California’s crops and natural environment are sometimes detected in agricultural areas, the vast majority are found in urban and suburban communities. The most common pathway for these pests to enter the state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers as they return from infested regions around the world.

To help prevent infestations, officials ask that residents do not bring or mail fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, or soil into California unless agricultural inspectors have cleared the shipment beforehand, as fruit flies and other pests can hide in a variety of produce.. It is important to cooperate with authorized governmental agricultural inspectors to allow access to your property to inspect fruit and oriental fruit fly traps for signs of an infestation. The Mediterranean fruit fly is native to Africa, but has spread to southern Europe, Australia and the New World tropics. It is also present in Hawaii and was first trapped in California in 1975.

Residents with questions about the project should call the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 650-363-4700 during weekday work hours, or California’s Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

More information about the Mediterranean fruit fly can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pdep/target_pest_disease_profiles/mediterranean_ff_profile.html

Media Contact: San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner Fred Crowder at 650-363-4701 or fcrowder@smcgov.org

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Michelle Durand Chief Communications Officer
County Manager’s Office 400 County Center, 1st Floor Redwood City, CA 94063
650-363-4153 T 408-910-4724 M Mdurand@smcgov.org www.smcgov.org

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Robert Riechel

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Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives

Source Credit: County of San Mateo CA

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