Medfly is back in the south

Last week it was mosquitoes; this week it’s an insect much less annoying, but far more costly to the economy: that’s right, our old friend the medfly is back. According to a release from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, the Mediterranean Fruit Fly has been detected in the Toledo District as well as South Stann Creek and Placencia in the Stann Creek District. Spraying and stripping of fruit trees has already begun in infected areas and as of today a quarantine checkpoint has been established at the South Stann Creek bridge on the Southern Highway. All potential hosts for the insect such as citrus or mango will not be allowed to pass north of that line. The public is asked to cooperate, as large-scale medfly infestation could result in lost production and banning of fresh fruit exports.