Oriental Fruit Fly Detected, To Be Treated In Saratoga

SARATOGA, CA — Two oriental fruits flies have been detected in Saratoga, prompting the state and federal governments to conduct eradication Tuesday, Santa Clara County's Environmental Protection unit reported.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture have started an extensive survey with a response to eliminate the pest known to infest more than 230 different fruits and vegetables. The state found the presence of these flies that are larger than a common house fly on Aug. 29 and Sept. 3.

California crops at risk from infestation include apples, pears, citrus fruit, dates, avocados, tomatoes, peppers and many vegetables. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit. When the eggs hatch and turn into maggots that tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, it makes it unfit to eat.

"Fruit flies are serious pests for California farming and backyard gardens,” county Agricultural Commissioner Joe Deviney said. "These recent detections remind us to be vigilant in protecting our agricultural and natural resources, including our local community gardens."

The county is advising those traveling abroad or mailing packages to California to refrain from bringing back or mailing fruits, vegetables or meat products since may carry invasive species into the state.

To treat an infested area, trained workers apply a small dose of an organic pesticide about 8- to 10 feet off the ground on street trees and utility poles to attract male flies that succumb to the mixture after consuming it. The state will apply this treatment over a 1.5 mile radius from the detection site.

The survey consists of multiple oriental fruit fly traps placed in fruit trees spanning 4.5 miles in each direction from the fly detection sites. Additional detections may trigger a quarantine. The most common pathway for these pests to enter the state is by hitchhiking in fruits and vegetables brought illegally by travelers returning from infested regions of the world or from packages of home grown produce sent to California.

The oriental fruit fly is widespread throughout much of the mainland of southern Asia and neighboring islands including Sri Lanka and Taiwan. It has invaded other areas, most notably Africa and Hawaii.

Four major oriental fruit fly infestations in California were eradicated between 1960 and 1997.

Federal, state, and county agricultural officials work year-round to prevent, deter, detect and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy agricultural products and natural environment. The Santa Clara’s Agricultural Commissioner’s office is fielding questions at 408-918-4600.

Since January 2018, the county has experienced the existence of a fruit fly infestation.

See also

• Peach Fruit Fly Detected On Peninsula: State Ag Dept. To Spray