Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected In Solano County

SOLANO COUNTY, CA – Federal, state and county agricultural authorities are working to determine if a Mediterranean Fruit Fly (medfly) found in Solano County late last week is an isolated incident or it represents a larger breeding population of the insects that have the potential to infest more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables and cause severe impacts on California agricultural exports and backyard gardens.

Scientists at the California Department of Food and Agriculture have verified that the medfly has DNA that matches it to populations known to originate from Hawaii and is a mature female with well-developed eggs inside; however, the fly was unmated, county officials say.

The fly — the same type that resulted in a quarantine in Dixon a decade ago — was discovered in the Tolinas area of Fairfield in a trap designed to lure the insects, and has triggered an extensive survey of the area, according to a news release Tuesday.

In a coordinated response, the Solano County agricultural commissioner, CDFA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been monitoring an additional 1,095 traps that have since been placed within an 81-square-mile radius of where the medfly was discovered.

"I would like to thank the residents of Fairfield and Suisun for their cooperation in allowing our employees to place insect traps in your fruit trees and gardens," says Jim Allan, Solano County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures.

As of Tuesday morning, no additional medflies had been detected, officials said. If another one were to be found within three projected life-cycles, a quarantine of the fruits and vegetables at its location of discovery would be imposed by federal law, as was the case in 2007 and 2008 in Dixon.

Officials noted that when a medfly was found in October 2016 in Vacaville, a quarantine was not necessary because it was the only one.

Authorities urged residents who believe their fruits or vegetables are infested with fly larvae to call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 707-784-1310.

"We are also working to inform residents to be aware that uncertified produce from foreign countries, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, may carry the risk of starting an infestation," Allan said.

Photo via USDA.gov