Pest-free areas for Ceratitis capitata in Mexico, Chile and Argentina
It was announced at the NAPPO Annual Meeting that the state of Sonora in northern Mexico is now accepted by the USA to be a pest-free area with respect to Ceratitis capitata (EPPO A2 list).
The Arica area in Chile is infested with C. capitata and is subject to natural and artificial spread from adjacent areas in the Tacna Valley of Peru. A cooperative suppression programme directed towards eventual eradication is being undertaken by the Chilean and Peruvian governments. Because the Arica region is completely isolated from other fruit-growing areas in the South of Chile, most of Chile is considered to be a free area in so far as the medfly is concerned.
In Argentina it is intended to eradicate C. capitata from the Rio Negro area and prevent its reintroduction from other areas in the country.
Sources
NAPPO Annual Meeting; IICA (1990-10)
NAPPO Secretariat, (1991-05)