Spraying Planned After 2 Medflies Are Found in San Gabriel Valley

The pesky Medfly has gained a foothold in eastern Los Angeles County, requiring aerial spraying of malathion over a 23-square-mile area next week, agricultural officials said Wednesday.

Officials began to work hurriedly on an eradication plan after two more of the crop-destroying pests were found in traps in back-yard fruit trees in Baldwin Park and Valinda. They were flown to Sacramento and confirmed by state entomologists Wednesday to be male Mediterranean fruit flies.

One fly was found only half a mile from where a pregnant Medfly was discovered Sept. 19 in Valinda, prompting county Agricultural Commissioner Leon Spaugy to declare a new infestation, separate from the one now being fought near Dodger Stadium. A Medfly battle also is under way in Santa Clara County.

Bill Edwards, the county’s chief deputy agricultural commissioner, said his staff is working on the date and boundaries for the aerial spraying, but it will probably take place Tuesday or Wednesday night over Baldwin Park, La Puente and West Covina. Residents will receive notice within 48 to 72 hours of spraying, he said.

The Medfly poses a danger to the state’s multimillion-dollar agricultural industry because females lay their eggs in fruits and vegetables, which become infested with maggots and become unsalable.

Release of Sterile Flies

Spraying of malathion will be followed by the release of millions of sterile male flies to breed the pest out of existence.

The pest gained prominence in California in 1981 when then-Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. was criticized for delaying aerial spraying of malathion to combat a Medfly infestation in Santa Clara County. The state eventually spent $100 million to eradicate the pest, and growers lost an additional $100 million in sales because of a quarantine.

Spaugy asked residents to report maggot-infested fruit to his office.