5th Medfly Is Found; No Aerial Spraying Yet

State crews have trapped another Mediterranean fruit fly near the Koreatown area of Los Angeles--the fifth fly discovered in the area since Oct. 7--but agricultural officials said Wednesday that they have no plans for aerial spraying of malathion.

An adult male Medfly was trapped Tuesday in an ornamental fruit tree in the 1600 block of Cimarron Street, about two blocks from where crews found the fourth Medfly on Monday, the officials said.

Leon Spaugy, Los Angeles County agricultural commissioner, said aerial spraying of malathion was not being considered because the five flies have been found in a small area--within about two miles of one another. Instead, he said, crews will continue to spray malathion from the ground near where the flies were trapped. State and county agricultural officials will discuss the strategy later this week with the Medfly Science Advisory Panel to determine if any other action, such as the release of sterile Medflies, is warranted, he said.