APHIS Removes Four Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantines in Texas (Laredo, San Ygnacio, Zapata, Arroyo City)

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2019-29

October 17, 2019

 

Subject:           APHIS Removes Four Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantines in Texas (Laredo, San Ygnacio, Zapata, Arroyo City)

 

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

 

 

During the period September 25 – October 7, 2019, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) removed four Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) quarantines after completion of the required three generations without a detection, based on the degree-day model.

• Effective September 25, 2019, APHIS and TDA removed the Mexfly quarantine in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. On November 2, 2018, APHIS confirmed a mated female Mexfly in Laredo, Webb County, Texas, triggering the establishment of a quarantine for this pest. The quarantine area originally encompassed 37.6 square miles.
• Effective October 5, 2019, APHIS and TDA removed the Mexfly quarantine in San Ygnacio, Zapata County, Texas. On June 10, 2019, APHIS and TDA confirmed the quarantine trigger of three Mexfly larvae in San Ygnacio, Zapata County, Texas. The quarantine area originally encompassed 36.3 square miles.
• Effective October 7, 2019, APHIS and TDA removed the Mexfly quarantine in Arroyo City, Cameron County, Texas. On May 7, 2019, APHIS and TDA confirmed the quarantine trigger of one mated female Mexfly in Arroyo City, Cameron County, Texas. The quarantine originally encompassed 74 square miles.
• Effective October 7, 2019, APHIS and TDA removed the Mexfly quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. On March 9, 2019, APHIS and TDA confirmed four male and two female Mexflies in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. The quarantine originally encompassed 77 square miles.

 

APHIS has worked cooperatively with TDA to eradicate the transient Mexfly populations through various control actions per program protocols. The following website reflects the removal of these quarantine areas and contains descriptions of all the current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas:

 

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

 

 

For additional information on the Mexfly quarantine area, please contact Fruit Fly National Policy Manager Richard Johnson at 301-851-2109.

 

 

 

/s/

Osama El-Lissy

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine