APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) Quarantine Areas in Texas

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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2025-36
September 8, 2025 

Subject: APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) Quarantine Areas in Texas 

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials 

Between August 22 and September 2, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) amended the Brownsville Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County and removed the Edinburg Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County. 

On August 22, APHIS and TDA reduced the Brownsville quarantine by 67 square miles, including 103 acres of commercial citrus, after three generations elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection in that portion, based on a degree-day model. The amended quarantine encompasses 64 square miles and does not include any commercial citrus. 

On September 2, APHIS and TDA removed the Edinburg quarantine. This action released 69 square miles from quarantine, including 449 acres of commercial citrus. Release from quarantine occurred after three generations elapsed since the date of the last detection, based on a degree-day model. 

APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States, as well as to prevent the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade. APHIS is working with TDA to eradicate transient Mexfly populations following program guidelines for survey, treatment, and regulatory actions. 

The APHIS exotic fruit flies web page contains descriptions and maps of the Mexfly quarantine areas and all current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas. APHIS will publish a notice of these changes in the Federal Register. 

For additional information, you may contact:

/s/
Matthew A. Rhoads
Acting Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine