Florida’s farmlands are under attack by a highly destructive pest, the Oriental Fruit Fly, and authorities have quarantined some 85 square miles of land and the food grown there in an effort to contain the insect.
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The fly was first detected near Miami a few weeks ago in the Redland, an area known for its pockets of red clay. The authorities have stopped the transport of most of the fruits and vegetables from an area called the Redland in Miami-Dade County.
The agricultural area, called Redland, in Miami-Dade County highly contributes to the state’s economy due to its diverse growing potential, ranging from tomatoes to papaya.
In recent years, tropical fruit growth became higher and higher, with new varieties brought from Asia and Central America, such as Dragon fruit and Mamey. Two weeks ago, agriculture officials froze production in much of the Redland farming area after they detected the Oriental fruit fly.
Eight tons of the infected fruits have already been destroyed, but some growers are optioning for irradiating their product before sending it onto the markets, just to make sure.
Fernandez said that they can’t even imagine that how much the attack of these little insects will cost them.
“We estimated that we have mamey alone about 500,000 pounds left on the trees”, he says.
Other fruits are also being invaded by the pest, including guavas and passion fruit.
Florida agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam declared the quarantine, which covers a space larger in size than both the Bronx and Manhattan combined. Until now, the inspectors have found nearly 160 such flies, but the number is decreasing, which can be a proof that the obliteration measures bear fruits.
“[The fruit fly] feeds on the fruit”.
The Oriental fruit fly is burrowing in fruit and laying eggs, ruining millions of pounds of fruit. Meanwhile, many growers expect to lose their jobs. Fernandez hopes the situation will be soon solved, otherwise many farmers will go bankrupt after an industry worth $700 million will be destroyed.
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Florida has seen 75 incursions of fruit flies over the last 90 years, and officials are confident their methods will produce a good result.
