Millions of Sterile Fruit Flies Released
From Times Wire Reports
A government team working to eradicate Mexican fruit flies from northern San Diego County has begun releasing millions of sterile flies in the area.
A total of 28 million sterile flies will be released each week -- a million for each of the 28 square miles of the core infestation area near Valley Center. The release will continue for at least two life cycles of the fly, which varies with temperature and typically lasts about 30 to 45 days.
The male flies being released have been sterilized with radiation and marked with a fluorescent pink dye for identification. They are intended to overwhelm other flies and prevent mating.