Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has set up a 1.5-square-mile treatment zone for Oriental fruit fly after 40 specimens were found in in south Miami-Dade County last week.

The initial fly was discovered during routine trapping, and additional flies were discovered during expanded trapping activities.

The department highlighted there had been several trappings of the insect since 1964 and each time it had been successfully eradicated. To mitigate incursions from the fly, considered one of the world's most serious pests, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitors more than 56,000 fruit fly traps across Florida.

"Though disturbing, this find confirms that our early detection system for pests and disease is among the best in the nation," said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam.

"We are working closely with our federal partners to eradicate this destructive pest in order to protect Florida's $120 billion agriculture industry."

The Oriental fruit  fly attacks more than 230 different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including avocados, figs, grapefruit, guavas, loquats, mangoes, rose apples, papayas, peaches, persimmons, Surinam cherries and white sapotes.

The state's treatment involves setting up baits for male flies on the upper portions of telephone and utility poles, with a mixture that attracts the flies and kills them. The application is done weekly and will continue for one life cycle of the fly, which is approximately 90 days.

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