Just months after the country was declared fruit fly-free once more, three specimens of the pest have been found in Chile.

In a press release, the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) confirmed three adult Mediterranean fruit flies were found in the port city of Valparaiso, leading to a contingency plan aimed at avoiding the pest's spread, and eventually its eradication.

SAG will be undertaking fruit sampling and applying bait around each detection point, adding to existing control efforts in the Santiago suburbs of Conchalí and Quilicura, as well as the northern city of Iquique.

SAG national director Ángel Sartori said the findings showed the effectiveness of the institution's trapping system and staff.

The service said the increase in fruit fly detections in different regions of the country was due to several factors, including the fact the pest was present in all neighboring countries, and any change in insect populations in those countries could have repercussions for Chile.

The service also confirmed there had been more interceptions of fruit in passenger baggage at border controls, with a "large quantity" of larvae from Mediterranean fruit fly.

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