APHIS Removes Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) Quarantine Area in Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2025-51 
December 2, 2025

Subject: APHIS Removes Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens; Mexfly) Quarantine Area in Texas 

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

On November 20, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) removed the Harlingen Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County, Texas. This action released 71.89 square miles from quarantine, including 789.1 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 restricted the interstate movement of regulated articles from this area to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States. APHIS worked cooperatively with TDA to eradicate this transient Mexfly population through various control actions per program protocols.

The removal of this quarantine area is reflected on the APHIS Exotic Fruit Flies website which contains a description of all current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas. APHIS will publish a notice of this change in the Federal Register.

For additional information you may contact: 

Catherine Marzolf 
National Policy Manager 
386-666-9932 
catherine.a.marzolf@usda.gov

/s/

Matthew A. Rhoads 
Deputy Administrator 
Plant Protection and Quarantine