The live larvae was captured by a CBP agriculture Specialist and sent to the USDA Miami Inspection Station. Scientists there identified the larvae as Ceratitis capitata, better known as the Mediterranean fruit fly. The seized food item was cut, ground and destroyed under CBP supervision.
The Mediterranean fruit fly (Med fly) is one of the world’s most destructive pests, capable of attacking 260 different fruits, flowers, vegetables and nuts. If this exotic pest were to become established in the United States, the estimated annual loss would be substantial.
"These losses would come in the form of export sanctions, lost markets, treatment costs, reduction of crop yields, damaged fruits, premature fruit drop and plant diseases", stated Harold Woodward, director of Miami CBP operations. "CBP is dedicated in protecting America’s agricultural and environmental resources from the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases."
For more information on the Med fly, visit www.aphis.usda.gov
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