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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEradication Project for the Oriental Fruit Fly - California CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE OFFICIAL NOTICE y r f FOR THE CITIES OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY, GARDEN GROVE, 4�lEOR P '` HUNTINGTON BEACH, SANTA ANA, STANTON AND WESTMINST{ER PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY PROCLAMATION OF AN ERADICATION PROJECT FOR THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY Between August 2 and August 4, 2011, two wild male oriental fruit flies (OFF)were trapped in the cities of Santa Ana and Westminster in Orange County. These OFF detections are approximately 2.5 miles apart and within one life cycle. Two OFF detections that are 2.5 miles apart and within one life cycle indicate that an infestation of OFF exists in the area. The OFF is a serious exotic insect pest that is not native to California, and attacks over 230 different hosts; many of which are grown in Orange County. Immediate emergency eradication action is needed to protect California from the negative economic and environmental impacts the establishment of this pest would cause. Important California crops which would be infested include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados, and certain vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs in the fruit. These eggs hatch into larvae, or maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption. Should OFF become established in California, crop loss estimates are in the range of$44 million to$176 million. Additionally, the need for pesticide use would increase as well as the need to enforce quarantine restrictions. The California Department of Food and Agriculture's eradication protocol is based on an Action Plan developed in consultation with the Pest Prevention Committee of the California Agricultural Commissioner's Association, United States Department of Agriculture and scientists on an advisory panel. Pursuant to sections 5401-5405 and 5761-5763 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the Secretary is mandated: to thoroughly investigate the existence; to determine the probability of the spread of a pest; to adopt regulations (Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 3591.2) as are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this code; to abate the pest from the established eradication area; and, to prevent further economic damage. In accordance with integrated pest management principles, CDFA has evaluated possible eradication methods and determined that there are no biological or cultural methods available to eradicate the OFF as directed with the aforementioned Food and Agricultural Codes. For this infestation, CDFA will incorporate mechanical control via host fruit removal when larvae are detected (as described below). Therefore, the treatment plan for OFF in Orange County will be: ® Spot application (male attractant treatments) will be applied to tree trunks and other similar structures out of the reach of the public. The spot treatment is a mixture of methyl eugenol, naled and a thickening agent. Public exposure to naled and related residues as a result of its use in fruit fly eradication is negligible and well below levels of concern. The male OFF is attracted to the bait station and is eradicated before they can mate with the female OFF. This disrupts the breeding cycle and the population is eliminated. ® If additional OFFs are trapped or if larvae are detected, foliar bait ground treatments may be required to mitigate the spread of the OFF. Foliar bait ground treatments are comprised of protein bait spray that consists of an organic formulation of spinosad. Visit the CDFA website to learn more about the treatment process at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/videos/spinosad/. ® Mechanical control - Larval survey may occur up to 200 meters around any property where OFFs are trapped to determine if other life stages are present. If OFF larvae are present, fruit from the infested site and properties within 100 meters of the detection site will be removed and disposed of under regulatory compliance. Public Notification: Any resident whose property will be treated following the determination of a breeding population (eggs, larvae or mated female)on or near their property will be notified prior to any treatment in accordance with Food and Agricultural Code Sections 5779 and 5401-5404. Following the treatment, completion notices are left with the homeowners detailing precautions to take and post-harvest intervals applicable to any fruit on the property. For pesticide applications in public areas, a press release is issued to the general public. Treatments are repeated every seven to fourteen days for one life cycle. A toll-free hotline, 1-800-491-1899, is staffed to answer questions related to this project. This telephone number is provided on all treatment notifications. Enclosed is the Proclamation of an Eradication Project, the work plan, host list and a map of the eradication area. This eradication project will continue for three life cycles past the date of the last OFF trapped. If no additional OFFs are detected, the OFF will be declared eradicated. Y PROCLAMATION OF AN ERADICATION PROJECT REGARDING THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY Between August 2 and August 4, 2011, two wild male oriental fruit flies(OFF)were trapped in the cities of Santa Ana and Westminster in Orange County. These OFF detections are approximately 2.5 miles apart and within one life cycle. Based on the evidence presented to me by my staff, outside experts familiar with the fly, and the trapping data, I have determined that an established infestation of OFF exists. The OFF, Bactrocera (=Dacus)dorsa/is Hendel, is an exotic insect which has a long history of being a serious pest of tropical and subtropical fruits in Southwest Asia and most of the Pacific Islands. Following introduction into the Hawaiian Islands in the 1940's, this fly multiplied rapidly, and currently is known to infest more than 125 different host fruits in the state of Hawaii. Worldwide, over 230 different kinds of fruits and vegetables are attacked. The OFF is one of the most serious pests of agriculture in Hawaii, India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indochina, the Philippines, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands, and Micronesia. Important California crops which would be infested include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados, and certain vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs in the fruit. These eggs hatch into larvae, or maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption. The first California eradication project occurred in San Diego in 1974, and since that time, numerous major infestations have been delimited and successfully eradicated. As Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture(CDFA), I have decided, based upon the likely environmental and economic damage which could be inflicted by an established infestation of the OFF, that under my statutory authority, it is incumbent on me to attempt to eradicate the OFF and its life stages from California. Should OFF become established in California, crop loss estimates are in the range of$44 million to$176 million. Additionally, the need for pesticide use would increase as well as the need to enforce quarantine restrictions. By comparison, where the OFF is established in Hawaii, farmers are driven to either near-weekly spraying of insecticides or ultimately abandoning crop production altogether. Industry experts estimate that exotic fruit flies are costing Hawaii more than $300 million each year in lost markets for locally grown produce. This loss does not include lost export markets. If the OFF became established in California, the state would face detrimental quarantine requirements directed against host commodities by the United States Department of Agriculture and our international trade partners. My duty to act, and this decision, is based upon authority set forth in Sections 24.5, 401.5, 403, 407, 408, 5401-5405, and 5761-5764 of the Food and Agricultural Code authorizing and mandating the Secretary: to thoroughly investigate the existence; to determine the probability of the spread of a pest; to adopt regulations (Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 3591.2) as are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this code; to abate the pest from the established eradication area; and, to prevent further economic damage. The enclosed project work plan describes the Department's actions that are necessary to mitigate the spread of this pest. This decision to proceed with an eradication program is based upon a realistic evaluation that it may be possible to eradicate the OFF using currently available technology. Treatment needs and the environmental conditions are outlined in the attached work plan. Oriental Fruit Fly Proclamation August 8, 2011 Page 2 In making this decision, CDFA has evaluated possible eradication methods. The following is a list of the options that I have considered for the eradication of this OFF infestation: 1) mechanical controls; 2) biological controls; 3) mass trapping; 4) cultural controls; 5) foliar application of a pesticide by ground; and 6) male attractant treatment using bait stations, in accordance with integrated pest management principles. Based upon input from outside experts familiar with the OFF and my professional staff, I have concluded that there are no biological or cultural controls that are effective to eradicate the OFF so that CDFA can meet its statutory obligations. CDFA will utilize mechanical control when larvae are detected in host fruit. In this situation,the host fruit will be removed and disposed of under regulatory compliance. To eradicate the adult OFF, I am ordering that male attractant treatments consisting of methyl eugenol, naled, and a thickener be applied to the eradication area to eliminate this infestation. If additional OFF or larvae are detected, spinosad bait spray treatments may be applied using ground based equipment to host trees within a 200 meter radius of the detection site. A description of the options is contained in the attached work plan. Historical data indicates that it is possible to eradicate this infestation due to the size of the area that is infested and number of OFFs detected. CDFA has prepared and certified a Final Environmental Impact Report(FEIR)entitled "The Exotic Fruit Fly Eradication Program Utilizing Male Annihilation and Allied Methods,"that is implemented as per the operations described above. This FEIR addresses the eradication of exotic fruit fly pests at the program level and provides guidance for the conduct of future emergency actions against these pests. It identifies feasible alternatives and feasible mitigation measures to be implemented in individual exotic fruit fly pest eradication emergencies. I have incorporated the mitigation measures and integrated pest management techniques as described in the FEIR. In accordance with Section 21105 of the Public Resources Code, this FEIR has been filed with the appropriate local planning agency of all affected cities and counties. I detected no local condition which would justify or necessitate preparation of a site specific plan. Eradication Plan The eradication area includes those portions of Orange County which fall within an approximate nine square mile area around each property on which an adult fly has been. trapped or on which another life stage of the insect is found to be present. A map of the detection sites with eradication boundaries and the proposed eradication work plan are attached. In summary form, the work plan will contain the following elements: a. Delimitation. Two types of traps will be placed throughout the project area to delimit the infestation and to monitor post-treatment fly populations. Jackson traps and McPhail traps will each be placed at a density of 25 per square mile in the core areas, and Jackson traps at five per square mile in the remaining delimitation area. Additional traps may be added to further delimit the infestation and to monitor the efficacy of treatments. Both trap types will be serviced on a regular schedule for a period equal to three fly generations beyond the date of the last fly detected. Oriental Fruit Fly Proclamation August 8, 2011 Page 3 b. Treatment. Any OFF detections within the original and/or expanded eradication area(s) will be treated according to the following protocol. The male attractant technique will be used to eradicate the adult OFF. A minimum of 600 evenly spaced bait stations of naled/methyl eugenol mixture will be applied to street trees and other inanimate objects in each square mile within the eradication project boundaries. Based on the OFF treatment protocol (nine square miles around each detection site), a total of 17.9 square miles will be treated. Treatments will be repeated at two-week intervals for up to two life cycles beyond the last fly detected (as determined by a life cycle model driven by accumulated day degrees). Foliar sprays may be extended up to a 200 meter radius if trap catches warrant it. Fruit removal will also occur 100 meters around all known larval infested and adjacent properties. Sensitive Areas The eradication zone has been examined for threatened or endangered species and mitigation measures will be implemented as needed. The CDFA will not apply pesticides to bodies of water or undeveloped areas of native vegetation. All foliar treatment will be applied to residential properties, common areas within residential development and other non-commercial properties. Public Notification Public information concerning the OFF project will consist of press releases to the general public and direct notification of project developments to concerned local and state political representatives and authorities. Press releases are prepared by Department's Public Information Officer and the County Agricultural Commissioner in coordination with the project leader responsible for treatment. Either the County Agricultural Commissioner or the Public Information Officer then serves as the primary contact to the media Any resident whose property will be treated following the determination of a breeding population (egg, larvae or mated female) on or near their property will be notified at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled treatment. A breeding population will necessitate an immediate eradication response due to the potential for natural dispersal and infested fruit to be artificially moved out of the area. Following the treatment, completion notices are left with the residents detailing precautions to take and post-harvest intervals applicable to any fruit on the property. Karen Ross, Secretary Date If you have specific questions related to this program, please contact John Hooper, Program Supervisor at (916) 654-1211. Attachments 1 I PEST PROFILE Common Name: Oriental Fruit Fly Scientific Name: Bactrocera (=Dacus) dorsalis(Hendel) Order and Family: Diptera, Tephritidae Description: The adult oriental fruit fly is somewhat larger than a housefly, about 8.0 millimeters (mm) in length. The body color is variable but generally bright yellow with a dark "T"-shaped marking on the abdomen. The wings are clear. The female has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of host fruit. Eggs are minute cylinders laid in batches. The maggots (larvae) are creamy-white, legless, and may attain a length of 10 millimeters inside host fruit. History and Economic Importance: The oriental fruit fly has been established in Hawaii since 1946 where it is a major pest of agriculture, particularly on mangoes, avocados, and papayas. Maggots have been found in over 125 types of fruit and vegetables in Hawaii alone. A great number of crops in California are threatened by the introduction of this pest, including pears, plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, figs, citrus, tomatoes, and avocados. It has been estimated that the cost of not eradicating oriental fruit fly in California would range from$44 million to$176 million in crop losses, additional pesticide use and quarantine requirements. Oriental fruit fly has been introduced into California a number of times through the movement of infested fruits and vegetables into the state. Distribution: The oriental fruit fly is widespread through much of the mainland of Southern Asia and neighboring islands, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippine Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Micronesia, and Mariana Islands. Distribution in the United States is restricted to the Hawaiian Islands. Life Cycle: Females lay eggs in groups of three to 30 under the skin of host fruits; the female can lay more than 1,000 eggs in her lifetime. Time taken for development depends on the ambient temperature._ Maggots tunnel through the fruit feeding on the pulp, shed their skins twice, and emerge through exit holes in approximately 10 days. The larvae drop from the fruit and burrow two to three centimeters into the soil to pupate. In 10 to 12 days, adults emerge from these puparia. The newly emerged adult females need eight to 12 days to mature sexually prior to egg-laying. Breeding is continuous, with several annual generations. Adults live 90 days on the average and feed on honeydew, decaying fruit, plant nectar, bird dung, and other substances. The adult is a strong flyer, recorded to travel 30 miles in search of food and sites to lay eggs. This ability allows the fly to infest new areas very quickly. Hosts and Damage: In excess of 230 fruits and vegetables have been attacked. Fruit that has been attacked may be unfit to eat due to larvae tunneling through the flesh as they feed. Decay organisms enter, leaving the interior of the fruit a rotten mass. Partial Host List Common Name Scientific Name Akia Wikstroemia phyllyraefolia Alexander laurel Calophyllum inophyllum Apple Malus sylvestris Apricot Prunus armeniaca Avocado Persea americana Banana Musa paradisiaca var. sapientum (Musa x paradisiaca) Banana, dwarf Musa nana Barbados cherry Malpighia glabra Bell pepper Capsicum frutescens grossum Brazil cherry Eugenia dombeyi Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis Caimitillo Chrysophyllum oliviforme Cashew Anacardium occidentale Cactus Cereus coerulescens Cherimoya Anonna cherimola Cherry, Catalina Prunus ilicifolia Cherry, Portuguese P. lusitanica Chili Capsicum frutescens var. longum Coffee, Arabian Coffea arabica Country gooseberry Averrhoa carambola Cucumber Cucumis sativas Custard apple Annona reticulata Date palm Phoenix dactylifera Dragon tree Dracaena draco Eggfruit tree Outeria campechiana Elengi tree Mimusops--elengi Fig Ficus carica Gourka Garcinia celebica Granadilla, sweet Passiflora ligularis Granadilla, yellow Passiflora lauriflora Grape Vitis spp. Grapefruit Citrus paradisi Guava Psidium guajava P. littorale P. cattleianum Imbu Spondias tuberosa Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Jerusalem cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum Kitembilla Dovyalis hebecarpa Kumquat Fortunella japonica Laurel Calophyllum inophyllum Lemon Citrus limon Lime Citrus aurantiifolia Longan Euphoria longan Loquat Eriobotrya japonica Lychee nut Lychee chinensis Malay apple Eugenia malaccensis Mammee apple Mammea americana Mandarin orange (tangerine) Citrus reticulate Common Name Scientific Name Mango Manifera indica Mangosteen Garcinia mangostana Mock orange Murraya exotica Mulberry Morus nigra Myrtle, downy rose Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Natal plum Carissa grandiflora Nectarine Prunus persica var. nectarine Oleander, yellow Thevetia peruviana Orange, calamondin Citrus mitis and C.japonica Orange, Chinese Citrus japonica hazara Orange, king Citrus nobilis Orange, sweet Citrus sinensis Orange, Unshu Citrus unshu Oriental bush red pepper Capsicum frutescens abbreviatum Otaheite apple Spondias dulcis Palm, syrup Jubaea spectabilis Papaya Carica papaya Passionflower Passiflora edulis Passionflower, softleaf Passiflora mollissima Passionfruit(yellow lilikoi) Passiflora edulis flavicarpa Peach Prunus persica Pear Pyrus communis Pepino Solanum muricatum Pepper, sweet Capsicum frutescens var. grossum Persimmon, Japanese Diospyros kaki Pineapple guava Feijoa sellowiana Plum Prunus americana Pomegranate Punica granatum Prickly pear Puntia megacantha Prune Prunus domestica Pummelo Citrus grandis Quince Cydonia oblonga Rose apple Eugenia jambos Sandalwood Santalum paniculatum Sandalwood, white Santalum album Santol Sandericum koetjape Sapodilla Manilkara zapota Sapodilla, chiku Achras zapota Sapota, white Casimiroa edulis Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera Sour orange Citrus aurantium Soursop Annona muricata Star apple Chrysophyllum cainito Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Tropical almond Terminalia catappa Terminalia chebula Velvet apple Diospyros discolor Walnut Juglans hindsii Walnut, English Juglans regia Wampi Citrus lansium West Indian cherry Malpighia punicifolia Ylang-ylang Canaga odor i ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY ERADICATION PROJECT WORK PLAN DETECTION 1. Detection Trapping The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) maintains a cooperative State/County trapping program for the various fruit flies to provide early detection of any infestation in the state. Traps are serviced by county personnel,funded by the Department. The program uses two types of traps- the cardboard Jackson trap baited with methyl eugenol, a male attractant, and the McPhail trap, an invaginated glass flask baited with yeast in water, a food attractant for both sexes of the fly. Traps are hung from branches of host trees at specified densities in susceptible areas of California. County or state employees inspect these traps weekly or bi-weekly throughout the year in southern California and from May through November in northern California. 2. Intensive Trapping Intensive trapping is triggered after a single fly is caught. Following confirmation of the specimen, trap densities will be increased over an 81-square-mile area(9 miles x 9 miles). Within the next 24 hours, 25 Jackson and McPhail traps are placed in the square mile core around each find. Five Jackson traps and five McPhail traps are placed in each mile of the remaining delimitation area. Traps in the core will be checked daily during the first week. Traps in the first buffer zone will be serviced every two days, those in the remainder of the delimitation area at least once during the first week. All traps in the delimitation zone will be checked weekly following a week of negative trap catches. Intensive trapping ends after the third complete life cycle following the last fly find. This time period is determined by a temperature-dependent developmental model run by the Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch in Sacramento. 3. Post-Treatment Monitoring The success of the eradication program is monitored by intensive trapping levels for three life cycles of the fly after the last fly has been detected. If no flies are caught during that time, trap densities return to detection levels. 4. Larval Survey Fruit on a property where a fly has been trapped will be inspected for possible larval infestation. Small circular oviposition scars are occasionally visible indicating an infested fruit. Fruit on properties adjacent to a trap catch may also be inspected. If two or more flies are trapped close to each other, fruit cutting may be extended to all properties within a 200 meter radius of the finds, concentrating on preferred hosts. Larvae have been found in citrus, peaches, figs, apples, Catalina cherries, pineapple guava, strawberry guava, tomatoes, and bell peppers in California. Oriental Fruit Fly Work Plan Page 2 TREATMENT 1. Male Attractant Technique The male attractant technique makes use of small amounts of attractant(methyl eugenol) and pesticide (naled) to lure the male flies in a population to bait stations. The flies are killed when they feed at the stations. The naled/lure mixture is applied to utility poles,street trees, and other unpainted surfaces using pressurized tree marking guns. The current project boundaries will be nine square miles around the sites where the adult flies were trapped. Project boundaries may be enlarged if the number of flies trapped warrants it. Application is made to at least 600 evenly distributed sites in each square mile.Treatment is repeated every two weeks and continues for two fly life cycles beyond the date of the last fly find or for a minimum of four applications. 2. Foliar Sprays If larvae, a mated female fly, or evidence of a breeding population are found on a property, the foliage of host shrubs and trees on the infested and adjacent properties will be treated within 24 hours with spinosad protein bait spray using hydraulic spray or hand spray equipment. If the trap catches warrant it, foliar sprays may be extended up to a 200 meter radius around an infested property. Affected properties will be notified in writing at least 24 hours prior to treatment. Following treatment, completion notices are left with the homeowners detailing precautions to take and post-harvest intervals applicable to any fruit on the property. Treatments are repeated at six- to 14-day intervals. 3. Host Removal If larvae are found, host removal (fruit stripping) may be used in conjunction with other elements of this program. All host fruit from the infested and adjacent properties will be removed and taken to a landfill for burial. If surveys warrant it necessary,fruit removal may be extended up to a 200 meter radius around the infested properties. Affected properties will be notified in writing at least 24 hours prior to removal of the fruit. PUBLIC INFORMATION Public information concerning the OFF project may consist of press releases to the general public and direct notification of project developments to concerned,local and state political representatives and authorities. Press releases are prepared by the Department's information officer and the county agricultural commissioner, in close coordination with the project leader responsible for treatment. Either the county agricultural commissioner or the public information officer serves as the primary contact to the media. Since treatments are applied primarily to street trees and utility poles, further notification to the residents will be through the newspaper. Any resident whose property will be treated with foliar sprays following the discovery of infested fruit on or near their property, will be notified in writing prior to treatment. ALTERNATIVES TO INSECTICIDE TREATMENTS FOR METHYL EUGENOL RESPONDING EXOTIC FRUIT FLIES August 8, 2011 Below is an evaluation of alternatives to insecticide treatments for,methyl eugenol responding exotic fruit flies (MEREFF) which have been considered for eradication programs in California. These flies include, but are not limited to, the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) (OFF) and its sibling species (collectively referred to as Bactocera dorsalis complex) (OFF complex), guava fruit fly(Bactrocera correcta) (GFF), and peach fruit fly (Bactrocera zonata) (PFF). A. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Microorganisms. No single-celled microorganisms, such as bacteria, have been shown to be effective at controlling MEREFF by themselves. Nematodes. No nematodes have been shown to be effective at controlling MEREFF. Parasites and Predators. Parasites and predators are not considered an effective stand alone eradication method because their success is density dependent; they are more effective against dense prey populations than against light populations, so their effectiveness decreases as the prey population declines. Although several organisms, such as parasitic wasps, have been investigated as potential biological control agents against exotic fruit fly species, they have only been used in suppression programs and not for any eradication programs. Thus, there is insufficient research documenting their efficacy in an eradication program: Therefore, using those organisms could lead to ineffectiveness of the program. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). SIT is currently used to suppress OFF and GFF populations in mango orchards in Thailand, and has been researched for use against OFF in Hawaii and against a member of the OFF complex, Bactrocera philippinensis, in the Philippines. However, there are no production-level colonies of these species outside of Thailand, and these facilities and research colonies are too small and too far away to support an active eradication effort in California. In addition, for introduced populations of the OFF complex, there is uncertainty about which species has actually invaded, and therefore SIT using the wrong species could lead to ineffectiveness of the program. B. MECHNICAL CONTROL Mass Trapping. Mass trapping of adults involves placing a high density of traps in an area in an attempt to physically remove them before they can reproduce. For MEREFF, trapping is considerably enhanced when an insecticide is added to the lure to help capture the adults, and therefore mass trapping with only the lure minus an insecticide would be ineffective. Active Fly Removal. Adult MEREFF are mobile day time fliers, and adults could be netted or collected off of foliage, but it would be highly unlikely that all adults could be captured and removed. Larvae live inside the fruit, so all potentially infested fruit have to be removed and disposed of in order to remove the larvae from the environment. For these reasons, active fly removal is not considered to be an effective alternative. 1 1pagc Host Fruit Removal. Removal of host fruits involves the physical removal of all suitable fruit from both the host plant and from the surrounding ground. The fruit is collected and double bagged before being buried in a landfill. California's MEREFF program performs host fruit removal within a 100 meter radius of finds which are indicative of an active breeding area, such as immature stages or mated females, as an extra measure to reduce populations within that area. However, it is considered economically inefficient and too intrusive to use over the entirety of the 1.5 mile radius eradication area used for MEREFF, and may possibly promote dispersal of female MEREFF in search of egg laying sites, thus spreading the infestation. Host Plant Removal. Removal of host plants involves the large scale destruction of plants by either physical removal or phytotoxic herbicides. It is considered unnecessary because fruit removal is sufficient for this form of mechanical removal. Fruit Bagging. Fruit bagging involves individually enclosing each developing fruit in a bag which prevents fruit flies from laying eggs. Like host fruit removal, it is considered economically inefficient and too intrusive to use over the entirety of the 1.5 mile radius eradication area used for MEREFF, and could promote dispersal of female MEREFF in search of egg laying sites, thus spreading the infestation. C. CULTURAL CONTROL Cultural Control. Cultural controls involve the manipulation of cultivation practices to reduce the prevalence of pest populations. These include crop rotation, early harvest (i.e., harvesting green fruit before it is suitable for oviposition), using pest-resistant varieties, and intercropping with pest-repellent plants. None of these options are applicable for MEREFF eradications in an urban environment with multiple hosts, and may only serve to drive the flies outside the treatment area, thus spreading the infestation. D. RESOURCES California Deparment of Food and Agriculture. 1993. The Exotic Fruit Fly Eradication Program Utilizing Male Annihilation and Allied Methods. Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report. State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, California. State Clearinghouse Number 90021212, April 1993. 572 pp. http://www.countvofsb.org/agcomm/fruifflv/ExoticFFEIR.pd United States Department of Agriculture. 2001. Fruit Fly Cooperative Control Program. Final Environmental Impact Statement 2001. 385 pp. htttp://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant health/ea/downloads/fffeis.pdf 2 P �ic. 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