Medfly pic

A Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) infestation has been discovered in Escondido, San Diego County in the US, reigniting fears for regional fresh produce production.

According to a new release by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), a mated female fly was detected in a trap last week, prompting the beginning of eradication procedures in the area.

As part of the eradication process, CDFA crews released a batch of sterile Medflies on Friday, 11 September, at a rate of 250,000 sterile flies per square mile, across a total area of nine square miles.

'By utilising sterile Medflies, we rely on biology to help us achieve eradication,' said AG Kawamura, secretary at CDFA. 'It's a great example of the progress that is possible through agricultural research.'

In addition, CDFA crews are applying limited treatments of Naturalyte, an organic compound, to plants and trees across a 200m radius from the site where the mated fly was found.

An agricultural quarantine is being planned, with residents urged by the CDFA not to remove fresh produce from the quarantined area, and to consume homegrown fruit and vegetables on site.

The Mediterranean fruit fly can infest over 260 types of fresh produce, and could potentially have a severe impact on fruit and vegetable production.