The Mexican Fruit Fly’s Effect on the Texas Citrus Industry
T
BY ELISHA ENSIGN
he citrus industry has a long list of dis eases that are a constant battle for citrus growers. Citrus greening, citrus canker, greasy spot, sooty mold, laprosis…and the list goes on. And yet, the Mexican Fruit Fly is causing the most havoc to the citrus industry this season. As of February 21st, there have been 119 flies found and there are two quarantines in place. Currently, 3,335 acres are quarantined in the Harlingen/Brownsville area and 774 acres in La Sara. Unfortunately, these finds are increasing daily and the potential for expanded quarantines is on the horizon. First, let’s take a look at what the Mexican Fruit fly is, then we can go into the effects on growers and steps for growers and residents to take in general and when within a quarantine.
What is the Mexican Fruit Fly? The Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens), commonly known as Mexfly, is a serious pest to various fruits, particularly citrus. Mexican fruit fly was first found in Central Mexico in 1863, and by the early 1950’s flies were found along the California-Mexico border. The pest has since been detected in Arizona, California and Texas. More than 50 commercially grown crops, including avocado, grapefruit, orange, peach, papaya, lime, tangerine, pomegranate, plum and pear are host plants for the Mexican Fruit Fly. Female fruit flies lay their eggs in ripening fruit. The eggs hatch into larvae that eat the flesh of the fruit, causing it 10
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to rot. Fruit that has been attacked may be unfit to eat. Larvae feed while tunneling through the interior of infested fruits. Microscopic organisms invade these injured areas causing internal decay of the fleshy portions of the fruit. Also, it is important to note that the Mexican fruit fly is not harmful to humans or pets. The Texas Citrus Industry along with The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) have been working on a suppression program since 1986. This program releases sterile fruit flies in an effort to eradicate the Mexican fruit fly from South Texas. This program is certainly important and helpful, and yet this season we are dealing with an overwhelming number of fly finds.
How a Quarantine Effects Growers A Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine is put into place by USDA when: • 5 flies are found within 3 miles of each other and within a time period equal to one life cycle of the fly • 1 mated female is found (known or suspected to have mated to a wild male) • Larvae or pupae are found Once the quarantine is in place, this greatly effects commercial citrus growers within that quarantine and specifically within the core of the quarantine. Growers are given three options. To send their fruit to juice, which is a great financial loss. To Fumigate. Or to bait certify, which can also be a very expensive process which reduces profits for that effected grove. Overall, a Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine is a great financial loss for any commercial grove that is located within that quarantine.
