New Medfly detections force CDFA to expand quarantine in Santa Clara County, California

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) expanded the Santa Clara Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, California. 

On October 21, APHIS and CDFA made the decision in response to the confirmed detection of one wild, unmated female Medfly (Ceratitis capitata). The insect was caught in a trap on a lemon tree located on a residential property in the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County.

Then, a day later, the state agencies further expanded the Santa Clara Medfly quarantine in response to the confirmed detection of a wild mated female Medfly. The specimen was found in a trap in an apricot tree on a residential property in the City of San Jose.

As a result of these findings, APHIS and CDFA expanded the quarantine area in Santa Clara County by two square miles. The added area does not include additional commercial agriculture.

Currently, the amended quarantine map encompasses 198 square miles, with 47 acres of commercial agriculture, including grapes, olives, oranges, peppers, stone fruits, and tomatoes. 

To stay up-to-date with any changes in the quarantine area in real-time, visit the CDFA's interactive map.

Further Medfly prevention efforts

APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Medfly to non-infested areas of the United States and the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade.

APHIS is working with CDFA and the Agricultural Commissioners of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties to respond to these detections following program guidelines for survey, treatment, and regulatory actions. 

*All images courtesy of CDFA

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