Back to Square One

Background: In February, two male Medflies were found in Pompano Beach during routine fruit fly trapping. It only takes two Medflies to trigger an eradication program, which FDACS began after the specimens had been confirmed to be wild Medflies. FDACS and USDA employees have been working in the Pompano Beach are and throughout the state to implement the eradication program since the February finds. Eradication efforts include adding more fruit fly traps in the immediate area and establishing a quarantine area to certify fruits or other host materials moving in and out of the quarantine zone. FDACS is also using the Sterile Insect Technique, which involves using biological control methods to release sterile male Medflies to interrupt the reproduction cycle. Eradication cannot be considered successful until three Medfly life cycles have passed with no additional fly finds. On March 14, DPI reported on this blog that two life cycles had passed, with one more to go until eradication could be considered complete.

On March 24, FDACS reported a third Mediterranean fruit fly found in Pompano Beach. It was an egg-bearing female collected during ongoing Medfly eradication activities in the area. A non-dyed male was found the same day, and another Medfly female was found two days later on March 26. Four additional male Medflies were also found. Eradication program activities will increase with these finds, and FDACS is working to set additional traps and expand the regulated quarantine boundary. The core area immediately around new finds will be treated and fruit will be stripped to remove sources for other wild Medflies that may be present. The public will be notified 24 hours in advance of any treatment or fruit stripping activities.

If you live in the quarantined area, you can help prevent the spread of Medfly by following these guidelines:

-Do not move any fruits and vegetables off of your property.
-Pick up any fallen fruits and vegetables from the yard.
-Double-bag fruits and vegetables in plastic. Securely tie bags and leave them out for household garbage pickup, not yard waste.
-Allow state or federal representatives access to your property for survey, trapping or treatment activities.

For more information about the Medfly program, visit http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/medfly, or call DPI’s toll-free helpline at 352-397-1517.

Sterile Flies to the Rescue

Good news: As of February 25, FDACS and USDA reported that no additional Mediterranean fruit fly has been found since the discovery of two Medflies on February 10 in Pompano Beach.

To address the outbreak, FDACS has placed 1,473 traps in a 51-square-mile area around the positive find. The traps were checked daily, but because no additional fly was found, the traps will now be checked on a weekly basis.

A regulatory boundary (2011 Pompano Beach Medfly Regulated Area) has been established around the area of the positive find to prevent the spread of Medfly. Homeowners within the regulatory boundary should follow these guidelines until eradication is completed:
-Do not move any fruits and vegetables off of your property.
-Pick up any fallen fruits and vegetables from the yard.
-Double-bag fruits and vegetables in plastic. Securely tie bags and leave them out for household garbage pickup, not yard waste.
-Allow state or federal representatives access to your property for survey, trapping or treatment activities.

The next phase of the Medfly eradication program involves utilizing the Sterile Insect Technique, a biologically-based reproduction control method that releases large quantities of sterile male Medflies to outnumber the potential for mating by wild males. Wild female insects that mate with sterile males do not produce offspring, interrupting the reproduction cycle. FDACS began releasing sterile male Medflies in a 60-mile area near Pompano Beach on Sunday, February 27. Weather permitting, flies will be released three times a week throughout the duration of the eradication program. Currently, the eradication program is scheduled to end this May. If another Medfly is found, the eradication program will be extended for three Medfly life cycles.

 The Sterile Insect Technique is an effective method of eradication because it is safe for the environment and the public. Since 1999, FDACS and USDA have been operating a Sterile Medfly Preventative Response Program, which involves the release of Medflies in high risk areas of the state.

It is important to note that although wild Medflies can be devastating to agriculture and its more than 260 host plants, they are not harmful to humans. For more information about the Medfly response, visit http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/medfly or contact DPI’s helpline at 888-397-1517.

New Pest Alert: European Pepper Moth

The European Pepper Moth, Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a Mediterranean Pest Moth Discovered in Central Florida

Photograph credit: Robin Barfoot

The European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis, was detected outside a wholesale nursery in Orlando, Orange County, Florida, on October 13, 2010, and a nursery in Apopka, also Orange County, Florida, on October 14, 2010. The specimens were collected by a USDA-APHIS-PPQ inspector during a national survey triggered by finds in other US states. The European pepper moth was first reported in North America in 2004. This species had not previously been collected in Florida. It is highly likely it entered Florida via the transport of infested plants or other nursery material from other states.

See entire pest alert from DPI (PDF)

Questions or comments? E-mail us at dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us

“It’s beginning to look a lot like…” citrus season.

When the more northern regions of the United States turn white with a blanket of snow, Florida turns orange from winter citrus production. During the 2007-2008 season, Florida accounted for 70 percent of the nation’s citrus production. This is an impressive accomplishment considering Florida’s experience with citrus diseases such as canker, greening and black spot. In order to keep Florida at the top of the nation’s citrus production, DPI works to keep citrus and citrus producers safe from diseases.

Many Floridians ship citrus fruits to their friends and family from their backyards or local groves during the holidays. Because Florida is battling citrus diseases, the USDA and FDACS/DPI are regulating the movement of citrus within and outside of the state.

USDA Certificate for Citrus Fruit Shipment

In order to ship backyard citrus fruit out of state, homeowners should take their fruit to a commercial packinghouse certified by the USDA to decontaminate their fruit. All citrus fruit crossing the state line (in plane, train, car, by mail, etc.) must be accompanied by a USDA certificate. Fruit can be shipped freely within the state of Florida.

It is important to note that citrus fruit purchased from grocery stores still has to go through the same decontamination process as backyard citrus fruit, which means it still must be accompanied by a USDA certificate in order to leave the state. If you are interested in buying gift fruit from a business to send, make sure your fruit will be shipped with the USDA certificate from the business.

Also, please note that no citrus trees or citrus plant parts (excluding fruit) can be moved across state lines by mail or any mode of transportation.

There are six commercial packinghouses certified by the USDA to decontaminate homegrown fruit. Their contact information is below. If you have any questions, please contact our Citrus Helpline at 888-397-1517, or e-mail us at dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.

A.W. Crisafulli Groves (Brevard)
5515 N Courtenay Parkway
Merritt Island, FL  32953-7223
321-452-8100, 800-683-6700
Details: Minimum of ½ bushel (4 gallons)

 May Groves (N. Brevard)
1885 US Hwy 1 North
Titusville, FL  32796
321-745-8575
Contact: Barry Gainer 

Neukom Groves, Inc. (Pasco)
5409 Gall Blvd,
Zephyrhills, FL  33542-3929
813-782-5596
Fax 813-788-2048 

Poinsettia Groves (Indian River)
1481 US Hwy 1
Vero Beach, FL  32960
772-562-3356
Contact: Jeb Hudson 

The Mail Center (N. Brevard)
3206 S Hopkins Ave
Titusville, FL  32780
321-268-2255 

The Orange Shop (Marion)
PO Box 125
Citra, FL  32113-0125
800-672-6439
info@floridaorangeshop.com

The Rundown on the New Firewood Rule

In order to protect Florida’s forests and trees, Florida established a firewood and unprocessed wood product regulation to prevent the introduction of unwanted wood pests and diseases into the state in August. This rule was developed as a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other states and multiple industries.

Since 1980, more than 500 new species of insects and mites have been collected in Florida and are considered established. Florida’s list of most unwanted pests is growing, and pests in other states could spread to Florida through the movement of infested firewood. Some of these pests are:

• Asian longhorned beetle: attacks, weakens and kills healthy hardwood trees
• Emerald ash borer: kills most varieties of healthy ash trees
• European wood wasp: infects many species of pine trees with fungus which kills the trees
• Sudden oak death: weakens and kills oak trees; Rhododendron is a common host
• Redbay ambrosia beetle: infects and kills redbay trees with fungus within months

 The firewood rule, Rule 5B-65 Firewood and Unprocessed Wood Products, establishes regulations to prevent the spread of these unwanted pests in Florida.

 5B-65 Rule Requirements Summary:

• Commercial shipments of regulated articles will be allowed entry into Florida with a permit. Uncertified or infested shipments or regulated articles shall be quarantined, issued a Stop Sale and Hold Order, or denied entry into Florida.
• Non-commercial shipments of regulated articles entering the state through the Department’s agricultural interdiction stations without certification will be allowed entry only when issued a  Report of Non-Commercial (Homeowner) Plants or Firewood Certification in Transit from Other States.
• Commercial shipments of regulated articles moving intrastate are required to be accompanied by a certificate of inspection.
• Locally produced or harvested firewood and unprocessed wood products harvested or produced within a 50-mile radius of the distribution point and not moved more than 50 miles from the point of origin are exempted and may be transported from areas contiguous to Florida without a certificate of treatment if the articles are accompanied by a proper bill of lading, proof of origin and any applicable federal certificates for shipments originating from a USDA-regulated area.
• No locally produced firewood outside Miami-Dade County may enter Miami-Dade County unless treated and certified by the Department.

 Rule Exemptions:

• Cut Christmas trees may enter the state provided they are accompanied by a federal certificate required for movement from regulated areas of the United States or a certificate of inspected issued by the Department of Agriculture in the state of origin.
• Primary and secondary forest products originating from states contiguous to Florida and transported from processing at mills and plants may enter the state.
• Commercial shipments of processed mulch or processed wood chips for cooking destined for further distribution at retail outlets may enter the state.

 Questions or comments can be sent to dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.

What’s in a name? Peach fruit fly find impacts much more than peaches.

“What’s in a name, That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet?”
                -Juliet, Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet tries to convey the idea that a name does not necessarily provide an accurate meaning. With the discovery of a peach fruit fly in Miami-Dade County earlier this month, some Floridians might be wondering what could be causing the concern over the fly. Florida might not be as well known for peach production as its neighbor to the north, Georgia, but the peach fruit fly poses a serious risk to Florida’s environment and agriculture industry. Don’t let the name fool you. The peach fruit fly has an appetite for more than just peaches.

Peach Fruit Fly

A peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, was found in a trap in a guava tree in Miami-Dade County by a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector during routine surveillance activities earlier this month, marking the first Florida find for this particular species of fruit fly. The peach fruit fly is considered one of world’s most serious fruit fly pests due to its potential economic harm. It attacks many different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including mango, guava, citrus, eggplant, tomato, apple, peach, melon, loquat, almond and fig. The fruit flies lay their eggs in the fruits and vegetables, and in a few days, the eggs hatch and maggots render the fruits or vegetables inedible.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with its federal counterpart, has launched an intensified trapping program in an 79-square-mile area surrounding the fruit fly find. If more flies are found, trapping will continue, and an insecticide may be applied to telephone poles along with a substance that attracts the flies. The public will be notified 24 hours prior to the application of any insecticides or other treatment activities, and if necessary, additional outreach activities will be conducted to provide all relevant information.

Agricultural officials are attempting to determine the source of the fruit that carried this fly into Florida. If you have any information on the possible origin of this fly, please report it to the USDA’s anti-smuggling hotline at 1-800-877-3835.

The peach fruit fly marks the third exotic fruit fly find in Florida this year. In June, Mediterranean fruit flies were trapped in Palm Beach County, and a full-scale, three-month eradication program was conducted—one of the shortest in U.S. history. In August, two Oriental fruit flies were found in a trap in Pinellas County, where trapping continues and no additional flies have been found. This year alone, about $7 million has been spent on the Palm Beach and Pinellas county programs. However, $7 million is a much lower figure than would be associated with the potential economic harm caused by untreated fruit fly infestations.

“What these multiple incursions of exotic fruit flies into Florida are telling us is that even with our successful statewide fruit fly detection and monitoring efforts and preventative sterile fly release program, harmful pests and diseases are still being brought into the state by the traveling public,” said Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson. “We must continue to raise public awareness about the risks associated with moved agricultural products without proper certification. We’re asking the public to refrain from bringing any plant material in from another country to reduce the incidence of invasive pests.”

State and federal agencies will work with local governments to keep the public involved and to provide updated information. More information can be found on the department’s website, including maps of the detection area and detailed information on the peach fruit fly.

How can you help keep the story of Florida agriculture from becoming a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet? When you travel, don’t pack a pest!

Need more info? Call our toll-free helpline at 888-397-1517 or e-mail us at dpi-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.

Shoo, Medfly, don’t bother me.

After a summer of battle with the infamous Mediterranean fruit fly, DPI came out victorious. The state’s Division of Plant Industry, along with its federal counterparts, worked diligently to eradicate the Medfly and continue to protect Florida’s agriculture industry, environment and economy from the potential devastation this pest could bring to the state.

Commissioner Bronson announced September 1 that eradication has been declared in the Medfly outbreak in Palm Beach County. This means that regulations have been lifted and fruit movement is no longer prohibited. Eradication is achieved when three life cycles of the Medfly, or about 60 days, have passed without finding another wild Medfly.

The Medfly is considered the most serious of the world’s fruit fly pests due to its potential economic harm and threat to our food supply. It attacks more than 250 different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, apples, guava, mango, tomatoes and peppers. Population growth may be explosive, as females are capable of producing hundreds of eggs.

The Medfly eradication program was successful because of the outstanding efforts of DPI’s Incident Control Team. However, credit is due to the Floridians who cooperated with the eradication efforts. Eradication programs cannot be successful without public support.

Federal and state agriculture officials will continue to educate the public about the risks associated with bringing agricultural products illegally into the state that may harbor harmful pests and diseases like the Medfly. Illegal agricultural products are often introduced into the state unknowingly by visitors. However, one piece of infested fruit likely cause this multi-million dollar eradication program that prevented residents from enjoying, and businesses from selling, their fruit and vegetables for a  three-month period, and could have potentially wiped out entire crops.

Help keep Florida Medfly-free! Keep our message in mind: “Don’t Pack a Pest — when traveling, don’t move agricultural products.” Also, purchasing plants from registered Florida nurseries and reporting suspicious plant pests and diseases helps to protect the state. More information can be found on DPI’s website, and you can also call our toll-free help number at 888-397-1517 or e-mail us at DPI-blog@doacs.state.fl.us.

The King of Fruits is battling a foreign invader. Whose side are you on?

Scooped and sliced or served cut “inside-out”, mixed into salsas or smoothies, served in ice cream or fresh off of the tree, mangos are a tasty Florida treasure.

Mango trees are a popular choice for backyard fruit trees in Florida.

Mangos are grown commercially in Florida in Miami-Dade, Lee and Palm Beach counties, but the fruit trees are a common sight in backyards of south Florida residents. Tall evergreen trees provide this flavorful fruit that just beckons you to slice one open over the sink and enjoy. Mangos are called the “king of fruits” for a reason. However, this year some communities in Florida aren’t able to enjoy their mangos like in years past.

This summer marks a battle between the federal and state plant regulatory agencies and the Mediterranean fruit fly, which attacks over 260 host plants in Florida, including our king of fruits, the mango. Representatives from the USDA and the state Division of Plant Industry have been working tirelessly to eradicate wild Mediterranean fruit flies discovered this past June.

The Medfly lays its eggs inside host fruits, ruining and rotting the fruit, and can infest trees to the point that edible fruit isn’t an option. Fortunately, our efforts are proving successful so far, and mangos will hopefully be able to remain “king” in Florida. 

We need your help to keep this pest from ruining your mangos and other fruits and veggies under attack from the Medfly. You can help by cooperating with our representatives responding to the Medfly outbreak in Palm Beach County. You can help by not moving fruit off of your property if you live inside the regulated area. You can also help by staying in contact with us with your questions, concerns or information about Medfly. You can reach our Fruit Fly Helpline at 888-397-1517.

We want you to be able to enjoy your mangos every year. Help us help you.

You can find more information on our Web site at http://www.fl-dpi.com.

Since we know you love mangos so much, here are a few recipes to try from our Fresh from Florida chef:
Mango Kugel
Tropical Mango Sorbet
Fresh Strawberry-Mango Milkshake
Mango Enchilada
Mango Upside-Down Cake
Mucho Mango Bread Pudding
Mango Pancakes
Also try these kid-friendly recipes:
Fruit Muffins
Avocado Mango Salsa