Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Report Dated 06/22/98
Program directors announced that there will be a third, hopefully final, aerial bait treatment Wednesday night. As before, the application will begin around 10:00 pm, and should be complete around 4:00-5:00 am, provided weather cooperates, and there are no mechanical difficulties encountered.
Ground treatment continues in the buffer zones, as does the release of sterile flies in Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties surrounding the treatment area.
Environmental Monitoring: Correction - In my last update, I erroneously indicated that we had not reported the results from the post treatment samples collected after the first aerial application. Those results were reported out last week (I believe in the 6-17 update). Results that I expected to have for you tonight are unavailable due to a power surge over the weekend which knocked out our computers and analytical instruments.
Re: fish kills reported in my last update. Several of you asked that I include a comment about fish kills in general. We tend to see an increase in fish kills in the summer months, when temperatures rise, and dissolved oxygen is lower. Many times, the cause of a fish kill is unknown. They may occur in water bodies in urban areas, agricultural areas, and areas where there is little obvious connection to man's activities. Toxicants, disease, and other factors may be involved. Very definitely the record high temperatures we're currently experiencing throughout the state is an additional and significant stressor for this time of year. As USDA is able to collect data on the incidents that occur in the treatment area, we should have a better feel for whether or not malathion may be contributory.
Health Monitoring: Friday, June 19th, the Manatee Co. Health Dept (Manatee CHD) received and additional 20 calls with medical complaints/concerns. DOH/Tallahassee is following up on these. The total number of health-related calls since June 1, 1998 is 152.
5545 traps have been deployed in the Umatilla area: 3990 Jackson, 208 McPhail, 1303 yellow panel, and 44 IPT traps.
(NOTE: I was asked to explain a little about the different traps: The Jackson is the most common trap used - it's a triangular shaped box, with pheromones to attract male flies. It's relatively inexpensive, however, it's also not the most efficient trap. McPhails are a heavy glass device that looks somewhat like a thick, squatty candle lantern. The fly enters from the bottom and is trapped inside. It's fairly effective, but very expensive (and bulky, and not of a pleasant odor). I understand it catches alot of other insects, making the reading a little more time consuming. The yellow panel trap is a sticky yellow panel that is very effective. It's also more expensive than the Jackson trap - I believe that's because of the lure, though I'll ask the experts out there to correct me if I've gotten this wrong! It is sometimes used as an adjunct to eradication treatment - due to its efficiency. Lastly, and being evaluated in the Umatilla program, is the IPT - the International Pheromone Trap (At least, this is what I BELIEVE the acronym means!). This uses a bait which attracts the female fly. Again, it is under evaluation for efficacy. As always, Those of you out there with more knowledge, please correct any errors I may have made! -- Thanks!
Ground bait treatment began today in the half square mile area around the latest find.
Environmental Monitoring: Pending
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