2 Mexflies Discovered in South Bay

Two Mexican fruit flies were found in Chula Vista and National City this month, the first finds of the year, but authorities do not expect an infestation.

A sexually mature male was found April 11, trapped in a lemon tree in the 100 block of Jacqua Street in Chula Vista. The second fly, a sexually immature unmated female, was found in a sapote tree April 18 in the 4200 block of Gamma Street in National City.

“All we’re doing right now is intensifying our traps in the 81-square-mile area surrounding the findings, but we don’t expect an infestation,” said Gary Reece, a spokesman for the County Department of Agriculture. “It’s just to be sure.”

Reece said it is common to find single, unmated Mexican fruit flies each year. They are often brought into San Diego County from Tijuana through the transportation of fruit. The problem arises, he said, when mated females are found.

“One mated female would be probable cause that there is an infestation there,” Reece said.

An outbreak of the Mexican fruit fly in El Cajon last May prompted aerial spraying of the pesticide malathion, causing protest from area residents. Mated female Mexican fruit flies were found during that outbreak.