Mediterranean Fruit Fly

Tephritid fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha are among the most destructive fruit pests in both tropical and subtropical regions.  The Mexican Fruit Fly, Anastrepha ludens occurs throughout the new world and is wide spread in Mexico, Central America and South America.  A. ludens also occurs in the south east corner of Texas but could easily spread to other southern citrus producing states.  An economic analysis conducted in 2000 estimated that potential impact of the widespread establishment of this pest in the United States at about $927 million dollars annually.  APHIS has set a goal of eradication of this pest in Texas by 2010.  However, eradication would be short lived without a barrier program between the infested areas of Mexico and the United States.  International Services maintains a preventative release program in the northern part of Baja California, Mexico to prevent this pest from entering California.  International Services also maintains a sterile fly release center in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico to suppress and eventually eradicate this pest along the border with Texas.   In addition, International Services maintains trap lines in Baja California and Tamaulipas to monitor this pest and other fruit fly threats.  This combination of trapping and sterile fly release is this country’s first line of defense against the movement of exotic fruit fly pest into the United States from Mexico.