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

Report Dated 05/12/98

BRADENTON: Unfortunately, we have a new fly find - and it is NOT in the Umatilla area. We have picked up seven flies in Bradenton, and at this time - that's all I have for you. FDACS/USDA will be contacting local government officials, the Cooperative Extension Service, and others. As was done in both Umatilla and Miami Springs, a public meeting will be held. Ground treatment on the affected property will begin as soon as practicable - pending approval from EPA and with pre-notification (which can be waived with consent from the homeowner).

Additional information received from a FDACS fax: Seven Mediterranean fruit flies (Medfly) were detected in a Jackson trap in a citrus tree located on West 47 Street in Bradenton, Florida. An intensified trapping program in an 81 square mile area around the finds has begun. There will also be a need for a quarantine in the same area. Host fruits and vegetables may not be moved from the property where grown unless commercially grown and certified "fly-free" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Depending on the extent of the infestation, some type of treatment program possibily combining the release of sterile Meflies with limited insecticide applications will be required. Treatments may involve the use of malathion mixed with a protein bait applied in a 660 foot radius around the infestation on a weekly basis. Only ground applications are planned at this time. A toll-free Medfly Helpline has been established at (888) 397-1517 to provide general information about the program.

UMATILLA PROGRAM:

Fly Count: No new flies. I believe the count is 1308 for the entire area.

Bait applications: The final portion of the treatment area was covered today, with the helicopters in flight between about 9:00 and 10:00-10:30 am. EPA has approved treatments for Saturday or Sunday - to accomodate weather concerns. The media continue to assist in providing updates to the public.

Environmental Monitoring: The following are the results from the second round of pre-application samples, from the 10 lakes we are currently monitoring:

Umatilla             BDL (Below Detection Limits)
Enola                BDL
South Twin           BDL
East Lake            .46 ppb
Gibson               .30 ppb
Bay Lake            1.10 ppb
Yale                 .34 ppb
Crescent             .32 ppb
Palm                 .40 ppb
Geneva               .48 ppb

Detection limit is unchanged (0.1ppb).

Health Monitoring: no report

Regulatory Activities: A meeting with the growers in the 135 square mile regulated area was well attended. Regulations concerning the conditions under which fruit can/can't be moved out of the area were explained. In addition to growers, other community members were present - e.g. garden club(s), etc. While growers are not thrilled with the constraints associated with a quarantine, there is strong support for the eradication program in general.

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