Florida Declares Agricultural Emergency Over Invasive Pest

Posted by Frank Giles|September 15, 2015

Photo courtesy of FDACS

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has declared a state of agricultural emergency due to the Oriental fruit fly infestation in Miami-Dade County. The Oriental fruit fly is considered one of the world’s most serious pests due to its potential economic harm, because it attacks more than 430 different fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Since the first detection of the fly on Aug. 26 in Miami-Dade County, a total of 158 flies have been detected, specifically in the Redland area (156), Kendall (1), and Miami (1).

FDACS, along with the USDA, has been aggressively working to eradicate this pest. Efforts include:

Assisting industry with the requirements of their compliance agreements;
Quarantining an 85-square-mile area around the core areas where detections have been made in order to prevent the spread of the fly;
Treating a 1.5-square-mile area around each fly detection. This treatment, which is conducted by the Department, consists of attracting male flies to bait which consists of an attractant, an insecticide, and a thickening agent. The flies are killed when they feed on the bait. The bait mixture is applied weekly to upper portions of telephone and utility poles. The application will continue for at least two life cycles of the fly after each find, which is approximately 60 days;
Removal of fruit from host trees— while leaving the trees — within 200 meters of a larval or mature female fruit fly find; and
Ground spraying with insecticides considered green or safe chemistry.

It is important to note that all appropriate protocols are in place and that the fruits and vegetables introduced into the marketplace from this area are certified for movement and safe for consumption by the public.

To view a copy of the declaration, click here. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com, or call 1-888-397-1517.