AP24PPQFO000C010

Award Purpose: To prevent the establishment of Zeugodacus tau (Walker) species group fruit fly (ZTG), the CDFA has initiated an eradication project and quarantine in response to the detection of nine adults in the Stevenson Ranch area of Los Angeles County during the period between June 6, 2023 and July 5, 2023. Since then, 122 additional flies have been trapped. The quarantine was effective July 11, 2023, covering 79 square miles, was expanded several times, and now since November 16, 2023 encompasses a total of 128 square miles.

The purpose of this award is to conduct trapping delimitation array, larval survey, eradication treatments (mass-trapping treatments, foliar bait with Spinosad GF-120 treatments and fruit removal) and quarantine enforcement around the ZTG detection sites, and to continue early detection of new ZTG infestations.

Activities to be performed: Delimitation trapping with Jackson and McPhail traps initially covered 81 square miles, and now covers 152 square miles. Foliar bait treatments (ground) will take place over 200 meters around all adult detection sites for one life cycle beyond the last fly detected. Ground bait spray containing Spinosad will be applied to all properties within a 200-meter radius of each fly detection site for one lifecycle, repeated every seven to 14 days.

Male attractant treatment (MAT) will have 1000 bait stations applied to inanimate objects every two weeks throughout a nine square mile area around each detection site. Treatments will continue for two life cycles beyond the last fly detected. Larval survey will be conducted over 200 meters around all detection sites. If larvae, a mated female, or multiple adult flies are found at a property, host fruit will be removed.

Quarantine work will be done to regulate the movement of host material, including issuing compliance agreements and hold notices. Intensive post-treatment trapping will occur for three lifecycles after the last fly is detected. The trapping and survey crew will be trained in trap placement, preliminary identification, environmental compliance, laws and regulations, and proper sample submission procedures. Samples will be sent to the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center (PPDC) for identification. The quarantine and regulated area activities will be performed by the USDA, CDFA, and County Agricultural Commissioner’s (CAC) staff.

Deliverables and expected outcomes: The successful implementation of the detection, treatment, and quarantine activities will eradicate the ZTG from California. Intensive post-treatment trapping will be maintained throughout the project areas for three life cycles after the last fly is detected. This high level of trapping will determine the effectiveness of the program. A tabulation of the number of sites sampled and the number of positive samples submitted can be used to determine if the survey efforts were sufficient. If no additional ZTGs are detected, the project will be terminated, and the quarantine lifted.

Intended beneficiary(ies): The establishment of the ZTG would have a dramatic impact on the environment and economic wellness of California and the nation. ZTG in California would require extensive use of pesticides both in urban and commercial settings. The resulting quarantines against exported California grown commodities would have an immediate impact on California's ability to compete in the international export trade arena. These infestations pose a serious threat to the United States' agricultural industry, and particularly to California's $50 billion agricultural industry.

Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: The Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office (CAC) and USDA will work on the quarantine. California Conservation Corps (CCC), Cooperative Agricultural Support Services (CASS), Tru Green Pesticide Treatments, and legal advertisements will all assist with the work in the quarantine.

California Department Of Food & Agriculture

TO PREVENT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ZEUGODACUS TAU (WALKER) SPECIES GROUP FRUIT FLY (ZTG), THE CDFA HAS INITIATED AN ERADICATION PROJECT AND QUARANTINE IN RESPONSE TO THE DETECTION OF NINE ADULTS IN THE STEVENSON RANCH AREA OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN JUNE 6, 2023 AND JULY 5, 2023. SINCE THEN, 122 ADDITIONAL FLIES HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. THE QUARANTINE WAS EFFECTIVE JULY 11, 2023, COVERING 79 SQUARE MILES, WAS EXPANDED SEVERAL TIMES, AND NOW SINCE NOVEMBER 16, 2023 ENCOMPASSES A TOTAL OF 128 SQUARE MILES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AWARD IS TO CONDUCT TRAPPING DELIMITATION ARRAY, LARVAL SURVEY, ERADICATION TREATMENTS (MASS-TRAPPING TREATMENTS, FOLIAR BAIT WITH SPINOSAD GF-120 TREATMENTS AND FRUIT REMOVAL) AND QUARANTINE ENFORCEMENT AROUND THE ZTG DETECTION SITES, AND TO CONTINUE EARLY DETECTION OF NEW ZTG INFESTATIONS.

10.025 - Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) [USDA]

California United States

State-Wide

USDA-APHIS-10025-PPQFO000-24-0011

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 81% from $11,729,682 to $2,246,721.