Current:Home > FinanceWhat is the Tau fruit fly? Part of LA County under quarantine after invasive species found-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
What is the Tau fruit fly? Part of LA County under quarantine after invasive species found
View Date:2024-12-23 16:24:18
In an unusual move, a portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine after after an invasive species was detected in the area.
More than 20 Tau fruit flies have been detected in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch near Santa Clarita, a city north of Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The quarantine is the first of its kind for Tau fruit flies in the Western Hemisphere and according to the agency, they are a "serious pest for agriculture and natural resources" with a wide host range, including fruits, vegetables and select native plants in California.
The quarantine area is 79 square miles total: bordered by Castaic Junction on the north, Oat Mountain on the south, Del Valle on the west and Honby Avenue on the east.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture said in a release that it is believed the Tau fruit flies were first introduced by travelers bringing uninspected produce into the state, which is a common pathway for invasive species.
In order to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas, the California Department of Food and Agriculture is working in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner.
Invasive species:If you see an invasive hammerhead worm, don't cut it in half. Here's how to kill them.
What is the Tau fruit fly?
The Tau fruit fly is an invasive species originating in Asia.
According to a pest profile from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, an adult is approximately 7 millimeters in length, similar to a housefly, with a yellow body with black markings. It has clear wings with two dark stripes. The egg is almost 1 millimeter long, white and cylindrical, and its larvae is creamy-white, legless and may be as long as 9 millimeters.
The species was first detected in California in 2016 in San Bernardino County. Since then, it has been reintroduced and eradicated three times.
California crops at risk with Tau fruit flies in the area include avocado, citrus, tomatoes, peppers and cucurbits.
Do stink bugs bite?Here's what you need to know about the invasive species' habits.
What to do if you're under quarantine for the Tau fruit fly
To prevent the spread of Tau fruit flies, the California Department of Food and Agriculture urges residents within the quarantine area to not move any fruits or vegetables from their property.
The fruits and vegetables can be consumed or processed at the property where they are picked. Otherwise, they should be disposed of by double bagging them in plastic and placing them in garbage bins.
On any properties within 200 meters of detections of the flies, staff involved with the containment of the species will cut fruit and vegetables to inspect for any fruit fly larva.
Additionally, properties within 200 meters of any Tau fruit fly detections will be treated with Spinosad, a natural substance, toxic to insects, that will help remove any adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population.
The agencies involved will also use fly traps with a pheromone lure and a "minute amount of pesticide" that will be used in a wider part of the treatment area, according to a release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
veryGood! (45275)
Related
- Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
- The price of gold is at a record high. Here’s why
- Love Island USA's Nicole Jacky Shares Kendall Washington Broke Up With Her Two Days After Planning Trip
- 2-year-old killed by tram on Maryland boardwalk
- Beyoncé nominated for album of the year at Grammys — again. Will she finally win?
- KARD on taking a refined approach to new album: 'We chose to show our maturity'
- Nebraska man accepts plea deal in case of an active shooter drill that prosecutors say went too far
- College town’s police say they don’t need help with cleanup after beer spill
- Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
- Throwing the book: Democrats enlarge a copy of the ‘Project 2025' blueprint as an anti-GOP prop
Ranking
- Tesla issues 6th Cybertruck recall this year, with over 2,400 vehicles affected
- Lawyers for Alabama inmate seek to block his fall execution by nitrogen gas
- A Handy Guide to Jennifer Lopez's 6 Engagement Rings: See Every Dazzling Diamond
- Here’s the schedule for the DNC’s third night in Chicago featuring Walz, Clinton and Amanda Gorman
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- Mindy Kaling is among celebrity hosts of Democratic National Convention: What to know
- Stock market today: Wall Street pulls closer to records after retailers top profit forecasts
- Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the Momcozy Nursing & Pumping Bra (Even if They’re Not a Mom)
Recommendation
-
'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
-
Ian McKellen on life after falling off London stage: 'I don’t go out'
-
Mall guard tells jurors he would not have joined confrontation that led to man’s death
-
Man charged with stealing equipment from FBI truck then trading it for meth: Court docs
-
Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
-
Expelled Yale student sues women’s groups for calling him a rapist despite his acquittal in court
-
Usher setlist: All the songs on his innovative Past Present Future tour
-
Jennifer Lopez's Ex Alex Rodriguez Posts Cryptic Message Amid Split From Ben Affleck