Medfly Spraying Zones to Expand in 3 Areas
Malathion spray zones in Downey, Pomona and Upland will be expanded by 42 square miles to fight new Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks, widening Southern California’s aerial pesticide campaign to about 480 square miles, state agriculture officials said Tuesday.
The expanded sectors will be sprayed two times, followed by the release of sterile Medflies. Seven Medflies were found last week, most just outside existing spray zones. An unmated, female Medfly was found Monday in Artesia, which is in the Downey expansion zone.
The announcement by state Department of Food and Agriculture Director Henry J. Voss follows the recommendations of the state’s scientific advisory panel. No decision has been made on treatment for an infestation in San Bernardino.
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