Oriental fruit fly eradication in Florida 2015-2016: program implementation, unique aspects and lessons learned

Authors: STECK, GARY - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services; FOX, ABBIE - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); CARRILLO, DANIEL - University Of Florida; DEAN, DAVID - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); RODA, AMY - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Epsky, Nancy

Submitted to: American Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2018
Publication Date: 6/7/2019
Citation: Steck, G., Fox, A., Carrillo, D., Dean, D., Roda, A., Epsky, N.D. 2019. Oriental fruit fly eradication in Florida 2015-2016: program implementation, unique aspects and lessons learned. American Entomologist. 65(2):108-121.

Interpretive Summary: The oriental fruit fly is a threat to the continental U.S., which is free of this pest. Florida has had relatively oriental fruit fly invasions, with most incursions known from the detection of a single fly typically in a residential area. An outbreak of this fly was detected in south Florida in August 2015 in numbers that exceeded the sum of all previous detections in the state. Additionally, this occurred in the heartland of tropical fruit production in south Florida. Regulatory personnel from Federal and State agencies worked with research and extension personnel as needed for these programs, including scientists at SHRS. Programs included delimitation surveys that were triggered by the initial detection as well as eradication and quarantine activities that were started when threshold population indicators were met. As a result of these activities, the infestation was detected in time to prevent establishment of this pest and the quarantine was lifted less than 6 months after it was imposed. In this report, we provide insight into the unique aspects of the approaches and methods employed as well as lessons learned that will be useful should it be necessary to implement similar programs in the future.

Technical Abstract: A major eradication program was conducted successfully against the oriental fruit fly in Florida during 2015-2016. In addition to describing the standard detection systems that are in place continuously, we describe the delimitation surveys triggered by initial detection of an invasive fruit fly and the eradication and quarantine activities that were started when threshold population indicators were met. Additionally, we provide insight into the unique aspects of the approaches and methods employed as well as lessons learned that will be useful should it be necessary to implement similar programs in the future