Two Mediterranean fruit flies (Medflies), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), in the same generation were found on the same residential property in Miami Springs, Florida. A find of this nature triggers ground applications of malathion bait according to the National Fruit Fly Program Protocol.

On Wendesday, April 1, a Medfly (found April 1) was confirmed to be a male with mature sperm. On April 2, another Medfly (still alive) was found on the same residential property. It was confirmed later to be a male. The first fly was found in a "Jackson" trap in an avocado tree. Citrus canker procedures currently prohibit placing fruit fly traps in citrus trees. The property also contains a calamondin tree and a satsuma tree. The second fly was found in a new trap in the same location. The property is located on Ibis Avenue, about 1.5 miles from the Miami International Airport in Dade County.

USDA APHIS received approval for a crisis exemption involving three ground applications of malathion bait spray only to host material within a 200 meter radius of the two detection finds. The use of malathion bait will ensure quick eradications of virile populations and reduce the chances of a lengthly eradication program. The application rate is 2.4 ounces of active ingredient mixed with 9.6 ounces of bait per acre. No commercial crops will be impacted by the ground application. Diazinon as a soil drench will not be used within the drip lines of the trees unless larvae are found on the ground.

Ground crews began application of malathion bait-spray on April 4, 1998 and completed the treatment on April 5th. There were 113 properties affected.

APHIS is expediting deliveries of sterile Medflies from Guatemala and/or Tampa, Florida to Miami with a planned area-wide release of 250,000 to 500,000 per square mile to ensure suppression of the area Medfly population and minimize use of malathion bait.

Fruit trees at that location and adjoining properties were sampled and examined for larvae. All fly larvae found were confirmed not to be Medflies. Florida's Agricultural Commissioner has issued a statement stating that all the evidence "suggests a localized situation."

All 2,455 traps in Dade County will be checked within one week. Hundreds of additional traps (200 more in the one-square mile core area, 50 traps per square mile in a one-mile buffer surrounding the core area, 25 traps per square mile in the two-mile buffer, 20 traps per square mile in the three-mile buffer, and 10 traps per square mile in teh four-mile buffer) are being set out. These traps cover the 81-square mile zone surrounding the initial find. All traps in Miami Springs and in the 81-square mile area have been and no more Medflies have been found at this time.

All fruit stripping activities have been completed. Sixty-three Florida Division of Plant Industry and USDA/APHIS personnel are involved in this Medfly project.

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