Chile: SAG detects fruit fly in Los Andes

14/03/2018

The fruit fly is one of the most harmful pests for agriculture, affecting more than 250 species of fruit and vegetables in the world. Although the presence of these insects always ignites alarms, it should be noted that the Agricultural and Livestock Service of Chile, detected in a "timely" the copies, according to the institution.

This is due to the effectiveness of its extensive trap system, installed throughout the Chilean territory in order to keep the country free of fruit fly.

The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) informed that thanks to the surveillance network that it maintains for the detection of Fruit Fly throughout the country, it managed the early detection of eight specimens of Fruit Fly or Mediterranean Fly (Ceratitis capitata) in the rural sector of El Sauce, in the commune of Los Andes, whereby activated a contingency plan to avoid dispersion and achieve its eradication.

For this reason, a regulated area of 7,2 kilometers around the catch was available, additional traps were installed in the regulated area and fruit sampling and application of bait around each detection point in which there were hosts were started. Mediterranean fly, in addition to soil treatment and laboratory analysis.

The National Director of the SAG, Ángel Sartori, stressed that "there was a timely detection, thanks to the trapping system that the institution has throughout the country and our staff that acted immediately. To control and eradicate this outbreak, we ask for the collaboration of the people who facilitate the entrance of the inspectors into their homes to carry out the necessary treatments for these cases. In addition, the call to people who travel outside the country to not enter into Chile products not authorized by the SAG, which may endanger our agriculture".

The fruit fly is one of the most harmful agricultural pests in the world, as it attacks more than 250 species of fruit and vegetables, making exports difficult.

Source: Fruit Portal