Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Report Dated 07/13/98
The first fly was found Thursday, July 9th, confirmed as a wild (not sterile) fly on Friday, July 10th. USDA requested and received approval on July 10th for ground bait treatments in a 1/2 square mile area in commercial groves, and a 200 meter area in any residential areas, surrounding this and any subsequent finds over the weekend. They have also received approval for a single use of diazinon at larval finds. (I do not have information on larval finds, but suspect we will have them).
The initial find was near the intersection of Arbuckle Creek Road and Highway 17. This east of US 27, northeast of Lake Jackson.
Over the weekend, we detected more flies - at this point the count is over 100, but I don't have accurate figures at the moment. Most of the flies have been detected in commercial grapefruit grove areas, north of the original find.
At this point, we know we have detections in 6 different sections (a section is a single square mile) - and given the distribution of the detections and the number of finds, aerial application is likely to be needed. At this point in time, most of the potential treatment area appears to be over commercial groves. I do not yet have a map of the area - it is still being developed as traps are coming in. I'll send it out as soon as I have something for you.
USDA/FDACS will be contacting local officials to set up a public meeting, as soon as practicable, to take citizen input and respond to questions concerning the Medfly, the bait treatment, etc. As in Umatilla and Bradenton, citizens and local officials will be consulted regarding treatment modality - the use of helicopters vs DC3 aircraft, etc. Both the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection will be invited to attend the public meeting. We are anticipating the first treatment at the end of the week, pending EPA approval.
If aerial bait treatment is approved, USDA, FDACS, and DEP will conduct various environmental monitoring - as has been done in previous programs. Similarly, DOH will set up a hotline, and form a public health advisory committee. DOH will also monitor health complaints, as was done before.
Please bear with me over the next week or so. The situation may change rapidly, and I will do my best to keep everyone informed. Please feel free to call me if you are not getting information soon enough.
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