07/17/98 - Sebring Mediterranean Fruit Fly Update - DACS

Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Report Dated 07/17/98

Sebring

The fly count as of 07-16-98 is 111. Traps continue to be deployed to delineate the area of infestation.

USDA received approval from EPA for four aerial bait treatments over an area of 33.5 square miles - the first treatment will take place tomorrow morning (Saturday, July 18) at first light. After buffer areas and sensitive sites are excluded, this works out to about 22 square miles on which bait mixture will actually be applied. Rotary aircraft will be used, during the day, as was done in Umatilla. Using three helicopters, and barring any delays, the treatment should be completed around noon.

At this time the area under quarantine (regulated area) is approximately 100 square miles.

At this time 16 lakes and several endangered species habitat sites (including the Carter Preserve) have been identified as exclusion areas. (Note: in the endangered species habitat, the concern is for potential pollinators of threatened/endangered plants which are currently in bloom. There are no threatened/endangered insects identified in the area by US Fish and Wildlife Service.) As was done in previous programs, DACS, USDA, and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be monitoring a portion of the sensitive sites. As before, these updates will include results as soon as they're available.

A public meeting was held last night to provide information to local citizens, and to hear comments/concerns and to respond to questions. Approximately 300 people (my estimate) were in attendance, including local citrus producers, non-agricultural residents, members of the County Commission, and folks from Sarasota. Representatives from USDA, DACS, and Department of Health (DOH) made presentations covering the Medfly and its biology; exclusion activities at ports of entry, treatment modalities, impacts to the community; and where to get additional information. Speakers also covered malathion and its toxicity, potential adverse effects to both humans and the environment, and the use of sterile insects.

A question and answer/ comment period followed. Concerns raised at this meeting, were similar to those raised in Bradenton and Umatilla. Comments were heard from representatives of both the local population, and citizens from Sarasota. About 30 individuals spoke. Comments, questions, and concerns included:

what people could do to reduce potential for infestation in back yard fruit (pick ripe fruit; remove fallen fruit; allow access for treatment if in ground treatment area)
requests for more information about the fly - life cycle, ways to prevent introduction, use of sterile flies
why hasn't Florida adopted a sterile release program like California (number of ports of entry, differences in geography, resources)
government speakers only - should have speakers with opposing views so citizens can decide for themselves.
appreciate information and representatives coming down; however, should allow input from local citizens. Government had already made its decision, no local input into decision making process (I spoke with this individuals after the meeting - he was not aware county commissioners, local health department, etc had been consulted. Would have preferred a public "hearing", but appreciated situation and speakers taking time to explain the situation.)
funding - inadequate. Fruit should not remain unpicked in groves.
sensitive populations not discussed. 50-75% (different speakers used different numbers) are "sensitive" and at higher risk for health problems. EPA doesn't approve of the DOH information being provided.
comparison of malathion in this program to malathion in mosquito control. One speaker said more in Medfly program (citizens would be "swimming in malathion"); another said more being used to control mosquitoes. (Application rates for mosquito control vary - some less, some higher. Applications made during season, some districts on regular schedule, larger districts according to monitoring and/or complaint calls.)
concern for non-target species, particularly fish, endangered species. (Reiterated additional precautions being taken to protect aquatic sites, endangered species habitat. Repeated precautions that homeowners can take to protect ornamental fish ponds.)
support for government's efforts to exclude, detect, eradicate. Need to work together to find solutions that win for everyone.

In general, local residents were supportive of the eradication efforts. Local citizens expressed concerns about non-target effects, and a few were concerned about existing medical conditions. Other citizens, a few local, most from outside the area, oppose the program, and the information being provided by USDA, DACS, and DOH. Everyone agreed that more dollars need to be put into exclusion and detection programs. There is also strong general support for SIT used as a preventative measure.

As before, the FDACS helpline and the DOH hotline will be operational for 24 hours on the day of treatment. Questions about the program - where/when treatments are made, where the helicopters are, information about the Medfly, effects on pets, wildlife, etc - should be directed to the DACS toll free Helpline at 888-397-1517. Questions concerning effects to humans, or reports of human adverse effects should be directed to the DOH hotline at 941-386-6040.

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

The UF/IFAS Pest Alert WWW site is at: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/