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 23 and July 30, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) amended the Brownsville Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County and the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County and removed the Sebastian Mexfly quarantine in Willacy County and the Roma Mexfly quarantine in Starr County.

On July 23, APHIS and TDA reduced the Brownsville quarantine by 16 square miles after three generations elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection in that portion, based on a degree-day model. The quarantine is 131 square miles and includes 103 acres of commercial citrus.

On July 23, APHIS and TDA reduced the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine by 94 square miles, including 4,177 acres of commercial citrus, after three generations elapsed since the last Mexfly detection, based on a degree-day model. On July 30, APHIS and TDA further reduced the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine and separated the Edinburg-Palmview-Donna quarantine into two distinct Edinburg and Donna quarantines. The reduction totaled 64 square miles, including 2,741 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 Edinburg quarantine area is 69 square miles and includes 457 acres of commercial citrus. The Donna quarantine is 137 square miles and includes 1,284 acres of commercial citrus.

On July 25, APHIS and TDA removed the Sebastian quarantine. This action released 71 square miles including five acres of commercial citrus from quarantine. Release from quarantine occurred after three generations elapsed since the date of the last detection, based on a degree-day model.

On July 30, APHIS and TDA removed the Roma quarantine. This action released 43 square miles from quarantine. The released area has no commercial citrus. 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. 26, 2025, 9:34 a.m.