U.S. Federal and State Government authorities have removed a quarantine area for Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens or Mexfly) in Palmview, Hidalgo County, Texas.

In a release, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) said the area was set up in March 10, 2017, with the goal of restricting the interstate movement of regulated articles from the area to prevent the spread of Mexfly.

"Since that time, APHIS has worked cooperatively with TDA and the Texas citrus industry to eradicate the transient Mexfly population through various control actions per program protocols," APHIS said in a release.

"APHIS removed the quarantine after three Mexfly life-cycles elapsed with negative detections in this area."

According to the APHIS website, a quarantine area remains in another part of Hidalgo County, in Donna, as well as in Brownsville (Cameron County), Laredo (Webb County), San Ygnacio (Zapata County) and Zapata (Zapata County).

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