Country: United States

Title:

Lifting of Sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), Quarantine in Texas

Contact:
Not available

Report:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) detected Sapote fruit flies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas in January 2003. In February, TDA and APHIS implemented a quarantine to prevent the spread of this pest into citrus producing areas of Texas and other citrus producing states. The quarantine facilitated the eradication of the Sapote fruit fly and restricted the movement of grapefruit, oranges, mangos, peaches, apples, pears, sapotes, and other varieties of fruit.

On June 16, 2003, three life cycles of the Sapote fruit fly were completed without additional fly detections. Under existing APHIS guidelines, this eradication was declared complete. APHIS PPQ has advised TDA and industry and lifted all restrictions and regulatory requirements implemented during the eradication program.

On June 17, 2003, Agriculture Commissioner Combs announced the official eradication of Sapote fruit fly from Texas and lifted its quarantine in southern Hidalgo County. By lifting the quarantine, fruits, berries and citrus nursery plants can be shipped without restriction and fruit offered for sale does not need to be covered.

For more information on the Sapote fruit fly see the following:

Sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), quarantine in Texas- 02/27/2003

PAS news story 05/17/01

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/fruit/tropical/sapote_fruit_fly.htm 

Posted Date: July 1, 2003, 9 a.m.