Oriental fruit fly invasion prompts quarantine for slew of South Bay cities, officials say

In response to an Oriental fruit fly infestation, South Bay cities, including Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, are currently under quarantine, restricting the shipment of fruits and vegetables until June. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has detected eight flies, prompting this extensive action across 112 square miles. The economic stakes are high, with the state's crop value threatened at $19. 3 billion, leading agricultural officials to prioritize containment strategies. Joseph Deviney, the agricultural commissioner, underscores the pressing nature of the threat, noting the fly's prolific breeding capabilities.

Residents are urged to consume or process their produce on-site to prevent further spread, with strict guidelines for disposal. The county will employ organic pesticides to manage the situation, a decision reflecting the growing concern over pesticide use among farmers. Experts like UC Davis entomology professor James Carey have tracked the fruit fly's invasions for decades, indicating that California has been facing these outbreaks annually for the last 50 years. This situation not only threatens local farmers but could also impact California's agricultural exports significantly.