Bird Board
Asian Fruit Fly
I heard that the eradication of our latest pest, the Asian Fruit Fly, might involve aerial spraying of insecticide. I also heard they might use a non- selective insecticide like Malathion, to spray. Malathion is a dangerous poison that kills many other types of insects, some beneficial, and can also make humans and other animals sick. This would be disastrous for our migrating birds and other insectivores.
Right now, the county has baited traps in the quarantine area and in some locations outside the area. All fruit and produce cannot leave the area. Authorities fear this pest will cause great harm to the agriculture community of South Dade. This insect attacks a large range of plants and trees that are grown down here.
Maybe TAS should be an active participant in any decisions that the agriculture community makes when they use extreme measures and get serious about eradication of the fruit fly. At least they shouldn't spray until fall migration is over and not spray during spring migration. The agriculture community has a poor track record when it comes to the environment, especially when it involves the use of chemicals.
Comments
Hopefully they can find a way to do it without any spraying, since besides a potential threat to birds, many beneficial insects would be harmed. If they have to spray, I would be more cautious about dong it during fall and winter that spring. If you look at last year, we had more warblers around in winter than this past spring. It was not uncommon to find 15-20 warbler species last winter in a single day, while in spring you're lucky if you break 6! As is the case during a typical spring, most migrants fly right over south Florida except during unfavorable weather.
In regards to spraying, the UF/IFAS extension emailed this today:
Scheduled Aerial Spray for oriental fruit Friday, October 2
As you know, we’re working to aggressively eradicate the Oriental fruit fly from the Redlands area of Miami-Dade County. First discovered on August 26, we have detected 161 more Oriental fruit flies in the area.
Our eradication efforts include ground spraying and foliar spraying of Malathion and Spinosad, soil drenching to eliminate larvae, bait on telephone poles to attract and eliminate male flies, and a quarantine zone to prohibit movement of products that may be infested with flies.
Recently, however, we detected two flies that are a cause for concern. On Tuesday, September 24, we detected a mature female fly. Yesterday, September 28, we detected a male fly outside the core area where others have been found. Yesterday’s find forced us to expand the quarantine zone an additional 12 square miles to a total of 97 square miles in South Miami-Dade County. This find also extended the duration of the quarantine to February 5, 2016. The quarantine lasts three life cycles after the most recent find.
While the eradication techniques we’ve already employed are proven to be effective, it is necessary to begin aerial spray treatment to prevent further spread of and devastation caused by the Oriental fruit fly. Aerial spray treatment will begin on Friday, October 2, weather permitting. The spray will be applied aerially overnight.
If rain or wind conditions are not conducive to the treatment, the aerial spray treatment will be postponed.
The insecticide to be applied is Spinosad, also known as GF-120. It is approved for organic use and is a common ingredient in garden products and veterinary medicines routinely prescribed to pets. Spinosad poses no hazard to people, pets, farm animals or wildlife. We are working to notify individuals who are registered as “chemically sensitive” with the U.S. Department of Health. We are also working to notify beekeepers and will assist them to take measures to ensure the safety of their bees. The spray may leave a sticky residue on homes and cars, which can be removed with water.
Here are additional resources to assist with outreach and constituent inquiries:
• FDACS will run print advertisements in the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, notifying the public of the scheduled spray,
• Individuals with questions can call the FDACS helpline at 1-888-397-1517.
• Individuals who believe they are experiencing symptoms as a result of exposure to the spray should report their symptoms to the Florida Poison Information Line at 1-800-282-3171.
• Updates are available at FreshFromFlorida.com/oriental fruit fly.
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