APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2020-11

June 3, 2020

 

 Subject:           APHIS Establishes a Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County, Texas

To:                   State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

 

Effective May 11, 2020, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) established a Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) quarantine in a residential area of Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement or entry into foreign trade of regulated articles from this area.

 

We are taking this action because APHIS confirmed one Mexfly larva from a grapefruit in a residential area on May 11, 2020. Subsequently, APHIS detected and confirmed three additional larvae on May 12, 13, and 19, in grapefruit from residences in the general vicinity of the first detection. APHIS also detected and confirmed one mated female Mexfly on May 15, 2020. APHIS, in conjunction with TDA, is responding to these confirmed detections with the establishment of a new quarantine area, which encompasses approximately 79.8 square miles of Zapata, Zapata County. There is no commercial citrus or packing sheds within the quarantine area. APHIS is working with TDA to respond to these detections 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 following website describes the new quarantine area, as well as 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