Country: United States

Title:

Anastrepha ludens (Mexican Fruit Fly): APHIS Amends Quarantine Areas in Texas

Contact:
Catherine Marzolf, National Policy Manager, 386-666-9932 or catherine.a.marzolf@usda.gov

Report:

Between July 1 and July 14, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) amended the Harlingen-Sebastian Mexfly quarantine in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties and the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County and removed the Sullivan City Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County.

On July 1, APHIS and TDA reduced the Harlingen-Sebastian quarantine by 62 square miles, including 135 acres of commercial citrus, after three generations elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection in that portion, based on a degree-day model. On July 14, APHIS and TDA further reduced the Harlingen-Sebastian quarantine and separated the Harlingen-Sebastian quarantine into distinct Harlingen and Sebastian quarantines. The reduction totaled 194 square miles, including 377 acres of commercial citrus after three generations elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection in that portion, based on a degree-day model. The Harlingen quarantine is 101 square miles and includes 941 acres of commercial citrus. The Sebastian quarantine is 71 square miles and includes five acres of commercial citrus.

On July 14, APHIS and TDA reduced the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine by 65 square miles after three generations elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection in that portion, based on a degree-day model. The amended quarantine area is 365 square miles and includes 8,755 acres of commercial citrus.

On July 14, APHIS and TDA removed the Sullivan City quarantine. This action released 71 square miles from quarantine. There was no commercial citrus in this quarantine area. Release from quarantine occurred after three generations elapsed since the date of the last detection, based on a degree-day model.

APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States, as well as to prevent the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade. APHIS is working with TDA to eradicate transient Mexfly populations following program guidelines for survey, treatment, and regulatory actions.

The APHIS exotic fruit flies website contains descriptions and maps of the Mexfly quarantine areas and all current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas. APHIS will publish a notice of these changes in the Federal Register.

Under IPPC standards, Anastrepha ludens is a transient pest under eradication that is present only in some areas in Texas. This species is not widely distributed and is under official control in the United States.

Posted Date: Aug. 7, 2025, 1:42 p.m.