USDA lifts Mexfly quarantines in Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has removed four Mexican fruit fly quarantines in Texas.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) made the decisions after three generations without a detection, according to a USDA news release.
The lifted quarantines are:
- Effective Sept. 25: Laredo, in Webb County. APHIS on Nov. 2, 2018, confirmed a mated female Mexfly and quarantined a 37.6-square mile area.
- Effective Oct. 5: San Ygnacio, in Zapata County. On June 10, APHIS and the TDA confirmed three Mexfly larvae in San Ygnacio, in Zapata County and quarantined a 36.3-square mile area.
- Effective Oct. 7: APHIS and TDA removed a quarantine in Arroyo City, Cameron County. On May 7, APHIS and TDA confirmed one mated female and quarantined 74 square miles.
- Effect Oct. 7: Aphis and TDA removed a quarantine in Zapata, Zapata County. On March 9, APHIS and TDA confirmed four male and two female Mexflies and quarantined a 77-square mile area.
The APHIS keeps updated information on federal fruit fly quarantine areas.