Oriental Fruit Fly - Agriculture, Division of (DIV)

On August 18, 2008, the State lab confirmed three detections of Oriental Fruit Flies (OFF) in the City of Santa Clara. These flies were trapped in a residential neighborhood northeast of Lawrence Expressway and Stevens Creek Boulevard. As a result of these finds, the Secretary of Agriculture will issue an emergency proclamation authorizing an eradication project.

Treatment is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, in a 10-square mile area surrounding the finds using the "male attractant" technique. This technique uses ground-based, spot applications of insecticide and feeding attractant lure. The treatment is applied as small, compact disk-sized spots on inanimate objects such as street trees and utility poles. The male fruit flies are attracted to these spots because of the lure, and die from feeding on the mixture. The treatments are applied at heights that are typically inaccessible and cause minimal disruption to the public.

To view a map of the treatment area, scroll down below and click on the “OFF Eradication Boundary for Santa Clara”.

The infestation in Santa Clara marks the third time in two years we have had Oriental Fruit Fly eradication projects in Santa Clara County. In August 2007, we had an infestation of OFF in the Cupertino area, and then in October 2007 we had an infestation in the Gilroy area. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) was able to successfully eradicate OFF in both areas using the male attractant technique.

The Oriental Fruit Fly is an exotic insect pest found throughout much of the mainland of southern Asia and neighboring islands. Distribution in the United States is restricted to the Hawaiian Islands. OFF is a pest of over 230 kinds of fruit and vegetables including citrus, grapes, stone fruits, pome fruits, avocado, pepper, and tomato.

These infestations are likely the result of contraband fruit smuggled into California. We ask all Californians not to bring fruit or vegetables back from your travels. Exotic fruit flies impact not only our multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry, but threaten California’s native and urban environments.