Millions of sterile male Mexican fruit flies to be released in San Diego County
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Set us as preferred Millions of sterile male Mexican fruit flies will be released over parts of San Diego County, after one mated female fruit fly was detected around Spring Valley, according to food and agriculture regulators.In an effort to dramatically reduce the population of the harmful fruit fly, authorities will launch a “sterile insect technique,” which means the sterile male flies will be dispersed either from the air or the ground to mate with wild female flies, resulting in an end to the fly’s reproduction process.Sterile insect technique has been used for years to decrease and control pests.A news release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture did not say when the fly release would begin or end.Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
In March, a quarantine was placed over La Mesa after multiple Mexican fruit flies were found.In a news release last week from the department, a new quarantine area in San Diego County was expanded by 19 square miles.
Climate & Environment Can Silicon Valley solve California’s mosquito problem? Google is seeking federal approval to unleash millions of bacteria-infected, non-biting mosquitoes in the Golden State.The quarantine now boarders El Cajon, Proctor Valley, Lemon Grove and McGinty Mountain— with a total of 76 square miles of San Diego County under quarantine.In affected areas of San Diego County, the fly release rate will be about 250,000 male Mexican fruit flies per square mile per week.The male fruit fly release will take place in an area “50 square miles around the infestation,” the food and agriculture agency said.The Mexican fruit fly e...