Earlier this month, an invasive species that threatens crops was found near Sacramento’s Meadowview neighborhood. The Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner and state agencies confirmed that two oriental fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis) were detected in the Sacramento area, which may trigger another quarantine. The oriental fruit fly is a tropical species that is widespread through much of the mainland of Southern Asia, neighboring islands, and in Africa. 16 of these fruit flies were detected in Sacramento last year, which started a nine-month quarantine of 123 square miles in the city. Sacramento County Interim Commissioner Chris Flores stated the following in a press release earlier this month,
Damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays her eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.
County authorities are responding with a survey involving fruit fly traps being placed for several miles around the detection sites. According to the Sacramento Bee, last year’s quarantine just ended this June and these fruit flies are usually found in urban and suburban areas when detected in the United States. The 8-millimeter yellow bugs target over 230 types of fruit, vegetables and plants, and can do significant damage to agricultural and natural resources. Officials have stated that they don’t pose threats to humans. Hopefully this issue is taken care of before more damage is done.
