What is Tau fruit fly? Los Angeles neighborhood faces first-ever produce quarantine due to invasive pests native to Asia
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Some parts of Los Angeles County were reportedly put under quarantine after discovering over 20 invasive Tau fruit flies in the Stevenson Ranch area, which is close to Santa Clarita. It has been said that the particular flies are dangerous for a number of fruits, vegetables, and some Californian plants.
Giving details about the restricted region, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) said, "The quarantine area measures 79 square miles, bordered on the north by Castaic Junction; on the south by Oat Mountain; on the west by Del Valle; and on the east by Honby Ave," in a statement.
'It’s believed the fly was introduced by travelers'
The department also noted, "This the first Tau fruit fly quarantine ever in the Western Hemisphere. It’s believed the fly was introduced by travelers bringing uninspected produce into the state — a common pathway for invasive species." Moreover, the government agency has banned the movement of fruits and vegetables from the places put under quarantine, and stated that the produce "may be consumed or processed at the property where they were picked." "Otherwise, they should be disposed of by double-bagging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage," added the statement.
What is the Tau fruit fly?
The Tau fruit fly has been described as an exotic insect, which hails from Asia, and belongs to the Zeugodacus Tau group, as shared by the CDFA. The statement released by the authorities further mentioned, "The adult tau fly is approximately 7 mm in length (similar to that of a housefly). The body is yellow with black markings. The female has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of host fruit." "A single female can lay more than 400 eggs in her lifetime. The amount of time it takes for egg development depends on the ambient temperature, but eggs typically hatch in one to two days. The newly emerged adult females need approximately 12 days to mature sexually prior to egg-laying. Breeding is continuous, with several generations per year," continued the statement, adding, "The first California detections occurred in San Bernardino County in 2016, and since that time, 3 re-introductions have been delimited and successfully eradicated."
