ABC 10: Agriculture officials hope to rid South Florida of Oriental fruit fly by Labor Day

Article Posted on June 5, 2018

By: Madeleine Wright, ABC 10

PALMETTO BAY, Fla. - The Oriental fruit fly is a threat to many of the fruits we enjoy that are grown in Florida, like banana, mango and avocado, which is why officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Palmetto Bay office are taking the threat seriously.

State and federal agricultural officials said they are on a mission to stop the Oriental fruit fly.

"The Oriental fruit fly is a devastating agricultural pest," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said.

The Oriental fruit fly is a pest that feeds on Florida's key fruits and vegetables.

During a routine trap inspection, USDA workers detected one Oriental fruit fly Friday and two more on Sunday…


Click here to view original article