Fruit fly

SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE | | APRIL 2022 APRIL 2022 14 14

TRAPPED A McPhail trap is shown on a lemon tree in a Gilroy home’s yard. The California Department of Food and Agriculture is monitoring for the oriental fruit fly in the region.

Crop-killing fly found in Santa Clara County

Officials monitoring trees in southern region

Contributed

After crop-destroying oriental fruit flies were found in San Jose in fall 2021, California Department of Food and Agriculture officials have recently placed traps on trees at homes throughout South Santa Clara County in order to track the movement of the dangerous pest.

According to the CDFA, seven oriental fruit flies were trapped in San Jose in September, indicating a breeding population exists in the area.

The fly devastates a variety of fruit, vegetable and native plants. An adult fly is a little larger than a housefly, and is generally a bright yellow with a dark “T” shaped marking on its abdomen.

Females can lay up to 30 eggs under the skin of host fruits, and the larvae tunnel through the flesh, destroying the crop.

“This pest presents a significant and imminent threat to the natural environment, agriculture and economy of California,” the CDFA stated. “Exotic fruit flies are internal feeders of fruit, and their presence therefore makes the fruit unfit for consumption.”

CDFA officials said they will be monitoring in South County for an unknown amount of time.

If a trap has been placed on your tree, contact the CDFA before conducting any pruning activities.

For information, visit cdfa. ca.gov/plant/PDEP/treatment/ oriental_ff.html.

SKphotographer /Shutterstock

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OUT & ABOUT

GARDEN CLUB HOLDING PLANT SALES

The South Valley Fleurs Garden Club is holding its annual plant and craft sales in Morgan Hill and Hollister.

The sales will be held April 16 from 9am to 2pm at Grace Hill Church, 16970 Dewitt St. in Morgan Hill, and April 23 from 9am to 2pm at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St. in Hollister.

The nonprofit organization gives grants to schools for gardens and plantings done by the students. It also maintains the downtown planters and butterfly garden in Morgan Hill, gardens at the Senior Center and VFW Hall in Gilroy, and a fire-safe garden in Hollister.

PLANT SALE BENEFITS BARN, SCHOOL GARDEN

Gilroy Gardening Group presents its Spring Plant Sale on April 23 from 10am to 2pm at the Miller Red Barn, located at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy.

The sale will include heirloom tomatoes, houseplants, succulents, California natives, and other fruit and vegetable plants.

UC Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions and help with drought tolerant ideas.

Proceeds benefit the Miller Red Barn and San Martin Gwinn School Children’s Garden.

WALKING TOUR VISITS HISTORICAL HOMES

The Gilroy Historical Society’s walking tours take place monthly.

On May 7, the tour will explore homes in Old Gilroy along Forest and Chestnut streets. On June 4, the group tours Gavilan Hill Memorial Park Cemetery (meet at the cemetery, 1000 First St.). Fifth Street will be the focus of the Aug. 6 tour.

Participants are asked to meet at the Gilroy Museum, 195 Fifth St., at 10am.

Donations to the museum are appreciated.

SOUTH VALLEY MAGAZINE | APRIL 2022 15