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

Report Dated 05-28-99

Bradenton

Three flies were picked up May 27, all inside the treatment area. This brings the fly count up to 500, since the first detection on May 12. Commercial fruit stripping crews have stripped about 3/4 of a square mile in the central core area. Ground treatment continues, including the use of a truck mounted sprayer to provide greater coverage of larger trees in the area. More of these sprayers will be used in the area in next few days. Flies have been detected at about 80 different properties, some of which have multiple finds (flies trapped over time), and some of which are still active. Based on the fly detections, the program has identified a "core" area of about 15 square miles which encompasses what is believed to be the actively infested area. This does not include the Palmetto sites, and several of the later detections in Bradenton. One commercial grove is included in this area. I do not have a map available at this time, but will get one out as soon as its available.

A total of 3627 traps have been deployed: 2553 Jacksons, 280 McPhails, and 794 panels.

The Science Advisory Panel (SAP) met by teleconference today (May 28) to discuss the situation. The panel was asked to review the fly counts, and distribution, treatment methods, etc., and provide the Program Directors with their recommendations for effecting eradication. The following summary is based on a verbal discussion by the Panel -- their formal, written recommendations will follow shortly. They have recommended:

1. Aerial application in core for one life cycle, with sterile fly release surrounding the treatment area.
2. Sterile release within the core area should be considered towards the end of the treatment regimen.
3. For the fly find sites outside the core, the Panel recommended that the program continue with intensive trapping, as well as fruit cutting (to look for indication of additional life stages prior to the planned sterile release, to determine an appropriate course of action at these areas.

Factors that the Panel considered included:

1. High number of flies trapped. Though relatively concentrated in area, the numbers are considered particularly worrisome.
2. The pattern of detections at each site do not support a general conclusion that the population at that site is indeed decreasing to sufficient levels for effective use of sterile release. [Note: Though the detections over the past two days have been lower as compared to the earlier daily counts, even these are excessive.]
3. Fly finds outside the "core" area
4. Ground bait application does not provide adequate coverage of host materials.
5. Time: the longer flies are able to breed and lay eggs (the Panel must consider this as occurring while adults are still being trapped), the greater the risk of more "escapees" out of the area.

The Panel emphasized that this situation cannot be compared to any of those in California, due to the high fly counts; and recently, the presence of ongoing preventative sterile insect release in California. Treatment here must consider local factors and conditions, and in light of the seriousness of the infestation (evidenced by high fly counts), ongoing detections, the presence of detections surrounding the core, etc. the SAP concluded that aerial application is needed to achieve adequate suppression of the wild population before steriles can be released to finish the job.

Please Note: The above synopsis is based on a verbal discussion, and as of yet we have not received the written recommendations to review. The DACS and USDA program directors will consider these recommendations, and propose a treatment program which must then be approved by EPA. Also, before any aerial application occurs, there will be a public meeting. The public will be provided 48 hour advance notification as well. FDACS will be contacting our partner agencies as soon as a decision is made; and of course, the public will be notified as well.

Umatilla

No more flies have been detected. The count is stable at 1314.

There are 3917 traps deployed: 3121 Jacksons, 540 panels, 206 McPhails, and 50 IPTs.

EPA has approved another aerial application, which is scheduled for Saturday morning. If all goes well, three helicopters will be used again, and if weather and machinery cooperate, the treatment should be finished between noon and 1:00 pm.

The SAP saw no reason to change its previous recommendation for eradication procedures in this program.

Environmental Monitoring: no report
Health Monitoring : no report

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