California officials allow fruit to be stripped from trees at more than 2,000 homes in parts of San Bernardino County to stop the spread of an invasive fly that could cause billions of dollars in damage did.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced earlier this month that trees at risk include fruits that host fruit flies, primarily citrus and many other fruits.
The trees are located in Redlands north and south of Interstate 10, with the northern boundary at E. Highland Avenue, the western boundary at the intersection of Garden Street and Elizabeth Street, and the eastern boundary at Alta Vista Drive. The southern boundary is Highland Avenue. Silver leaf coat.
CDFA said the approach of removing fruit from trees allows the agency and its partners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local agricultural commissioner offices, to break the life cycle of the invasive fly.
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In Redlands, California, oranges and other fruit are being stripped from about 2,000 trees to prevent the spread of an invasive fruit fly. (Fox)
This fly is known to lay eggs in fruit and then develop into larvae or maggots, and poses a threat to more than 230 crops, including residential and commercial citrus, as well as berries, vegetables, and nuts. .
“If left unchecked, the oriental fruit fly could become permanently established, causing billions of dollars worth of annual losses and severely impacting California’s food supply,” state officials said in a statement. Ta.
According to the CDFA, the fruit fly is “bigger than a house fly,” measuring about a third of an inch long. It was first discovered in the state in 1960 and has been reintroducing each year since 1966. All infestations in the state have been successfully eradicated.
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The oriental fruit fly is about one-third of an inch in size and could cause billions of dollars in damages in California if not eliminated. (California Department of Food and Agriculture)
The agency also said that if the infestation is not eliminated, it could cost between $44 million and $176 million in “crop losses, additional pesticide use, quarantine requirements, etc.”
Demolition was scheduled to begin by the end of January and continue until late February.
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The agency advises residents not to remove fruit themselves, and if fruit falls from the tree, double bag it and place it in the trash rather than the green bin or other designated organic waste. did.
