APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Areas in Texas

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2025-42 
October 10, 2025

Subject: APHIS Amends Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Areas in Texas

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Between September 10 and September 23, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) amended the Donna Mexfly quarantine in Hidalgo County and the Harlingen Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County and removed the Brownsville Mexfly quarantine in Cameron County, respectively. Release from quarantine occurred after three generations had elapsed since the date of the last Mexfly detection, based on a degree-day model.

On September 10, APHIS and TDA reduced the Donna quarantine by 66 square miles, including 945 acres of commercial citrus. The amended quarantine encompasses 71 square miles and includes 327 acres of commercial citrus.

Also on September 10, APHIS and TDA reduced the Harlingen quarantine. This action released 29 square miles from quarantine, including 81 acres of commercial citrus. The amended quarantine encompasses 72 square miles and includes 805 acres of commercial citrus.

On September 23, APHIS and TDA removed the Brownsville quarantine, releasing 64 square miles from quarantine. There was no commercial citrus in this quarantine area.

APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Mexfly to non-infested areas of the United States, and to prevent the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade. APHIS is working with TDA to eradicate transient Mexfly populations following program guidelines for survey, treatment, and regulatory actions.

The APHIS exotic fruit flies website contains descriptions and maps of the Mexfly quarantine areas and all current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas. APHIS will publish a notice of these changes in the Federal Register.

For additional information you may contact: 

Catherine Marzolf
National Policy Manager 
386-666-9932
catherine.a.marzolf@usda.gov
 

/s/
Matthew A. Rhoads
Acting Deputy Administrator Plant Protection and Quarantine