APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Area in the Rio Hondo Area, Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2016-32
May 20, 2016

Subject: APHIS Establishes Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Area in the Rio Hondo Area of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas

To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective April 22, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) established a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine area in the Rio Hondo area of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

On April 20, one mated female was confirmed in the Rio Honda area of Texas. On April 22, one Mexfly larva was detected and subsequently confirmed. APHIS, in cooperation with Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), is responding to the confirmed detections with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 73 square miles of Cameron and Willacy Counties. APHIS is working with TDA to respond to this detection following program survey and treatment protocols. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States.

The establishment of this quarantine area is reflected on the following designated website, which contains a description of all the current federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/ff-quarantine

For additional information about the Fruit Fly program, please contact National Policy Manager John Stewart at 919-855-7426.

Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine