In October, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced it expanded the Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine after announcing a total eradication of all invasive fruit flies. Now, the CDFA said it placed a portion of Orange County under an Oriental fruit fly quarantine following the detection of eight flies around Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
The CDFA said this quarantine measures 87-square miles and is boarded to the north by Anaheim; on the south by John Wayne Airport; on the west by Huntington Beach; and on the east by State Highway 55.
The Oriental fruit fly targets more than 230 different fruits, vegetables and plant commodities. The CDFA said the pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados, and many vegetables, including tomatoes and peppers are threatened by this invasive species.
Crop damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays eggs inside the fruit and the eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.
The Oriental fruit fly is widespread throughout much of the mainland of southern Asia and neighboring islands, including Sri Lanka and Taiwan, and it has invaded other areas, most notably Africa and Hawaii.
