Fruit stripping continues.

We have 3660 traps in service: 2583 Jacksons, 278 McPhails, and 799 panel traps.

It is my understanding that a request from USDA to EPA for approval for aerial bait treatment is forthcoming. However, before any aerial treatment can occur, EPA must grant its approval - No aerial treatment will occur until then. As before, there will be a minimum advance notice of 48 hours. A number of factors will affect the size, location, and number of aerial applications. We should have those details early next week, as the program directors include trapping data gathered this weekend, and pending EPA review/approval. Also, I'll send out details on a public meeting as soon as that has been determined.

Sterile Medfly Release
We are continuing to receive sterile pupae for rearing/release. I believe that sterile release will begin this Sunday in Manatee County outside the treatment area. It is hoped that this will eradicate any infestations that may have escaped detection in these outer areas, and prevent new infestations from fly-outs or other "escapees".

Umatilla

The fly count is still 1314. The last fly was detected May 19th.

There are 3948 traps in service - 3152 Jacksons, 540 panels, 206 McPhails, and 50 IPTs.

Aerial treatment will begin tomorrow morning, at first light - assuming weather is favorable, and no mechanical difficulties arise. Three helicopters will be used again - and application should be complete by early afternoon.

Environmental Monitoring: - Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)/Orlando has completed their bioassessment analyses for five lakes sampled in the area. To quote one of their scientists "If I'm a doctor, I'm not worried about the patient". Based on results from last year's experience in Tampa, significant drops in total taxa and diversity were expected - and is not observed in these results. You will note changes they are relatively small and according to DEP, this tool is not sensitive enough to attribute these changes to malathion. The next sampling will occur in July, to evaluate any effects resulting from the low level, pulsed exposures to malathion/ malaoxon reflected in the ongoing treatments.

The following data reflect pre- and post- application samples for each lake. I won't attempt a detailed explanation of each parameter - total taxa, diversity are fairly self evident. ETO is an index looking at three of the more sensitive lake organisms; and LCI is the Lake Condition Index - which sort sums up the other categories - it tells you what (how good/bad), with the other indices telling you why. These samples represent samples taken in shallower water - the second set (grab samples) represent samples collected from further out. In general numbers that remain constant or go up are "neutral" indicators (no adverse effect); numbers that go down indicate a possible adverse effect.

Lake Gibson:

• total taxa pre/post: 30 / 35
• diversity pre/post: 3.37 / 3.57
• ETO pre/post: 10 / 7
• LCI pre/post: 12 / 12

East Lake:

• total taxa pre/post: 26 / 62
• diversity pre/post: 2.48 / 4.68
• ETO pre/post: 4 / 9
• LCI pre/post: 10 / 17

Umatilla:

• total taxa pre/post: 36 / 36
• diversity pre/post: 3.95 / 2.4
• ETO pre/post 9 / 5
• LCI pre/post 11 / 7

GRAB SAMPLES

South Twin:

• total taxa pre/post: 17 / 24
• diversity pre/post: 2.55 / 3.35
• ETO pre/post: 3 / 3
• LCI pre/post: 8 / 13

Gibson:

• total taxa pre/post: 26 / 19
• diversity pre/post: 3.96 / 3.25
• ETO pre/post: 3 / 2
• LCI pre/post: 11 / 11

Our thanks goes to the personnel of DEP/Orlando for their assistance - both in collecting the data, and the guidance for putting the results in context.

The following are results from water samples from lakes taken prior to the fourth aerial bait treatment (taken 5/22/98):

Umatilla - BDL (below detectable levels)
Enola - BDL
East Lake - 0.1 - 0.3 ppb (between the limit of detection and the practical limit of quatitation)
Gibson - BDL
So. Twin - BDL
Palm - 0.1 - 0.3 ppb (between the limit of detection and the practical limit of quatitation)
Geneva - BDL
Crescent - 0.1 - 0.3 ppb (between the limit of detection and the practical limit of quatitation)
Bay - 0.55 ppb
Yale - BDL

No malaoxon was detected in any sample
(NOTE: Malaoxon has not been detected in any sample taken to date. The limit of detection is 0.1 ppb, and the PQL is 0.3 ppb. I failed to report this in most of my previous updates.)

Health Monitoring: No report

FDACS - Division of Plant Industy: Mediterranean fruit fly information
USDA APHIS: Mediterranean fruit fly information
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-809: The Mediterranean Fruit Fly
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-626: Mediterranean Fruit Fly: What Floridians Need To Know