APHIS Establishes Host Lists for Regulated Articles for Three Tephritid Fruit Fly Species for Federal Quarantines in the United States

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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2026-20 
July 29, 2026 

Subject: APHIS Establishes Host Lists for Regulated Articles for Three Tephritid Fruit Fly Species for Federal Quarantines in the United States 

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials 

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating host lists for regulated articles for three exotic species of tephritid fruit flies: Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann); Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly), Anastrepha ludens (Loew); and sapote fruit fly, Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann). The regulated articles in these host lists are berries, fruits, nuts, and vegetables of the listed plant species, including all cultivars, varieties, and hybrids. This action is necessary to reduce the risk of pest spread during ongoing domestic Federal quarantines in California and Texas. APHIS will use these lists when establishing future quarantines for these pests. 

None of these three fruit fly species are endemic to the continental United States. Medfly is established in Central and South America, Sub Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, and Hawaii. Mexfly is established in Mexico and Central America. Sapote fruit fly is established in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs in the plant host. These eggs hatch into larvae, which tunnel through the flesh of the host, making it unfit for consumption. These fruit fly species are known to attack numerous types of plant hosts, including many economically important U.S. crops. 

APHIS will regulate the interstate movement of regulated articles from all quarantined areas for these three fruit fly species in the United States in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 301.32 through 301.32-10, and any applicable provisions of this and other Federal Orders. The host plants listed in the attached Federal Order are now regulated articles for these three fruit fly species. The APHIS Exotic Fruit Flies webpage contains the host lists for these fruit fly species, the current quarantined areas for each fruit fly species, and this Federal Order. APHIS will follow this action by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. 

For additional information, you may contact: 

/s/

Matthew A. Rhoads 
Deputy Administrator 
Plant Protection and Quarantine

Attachment: DA-2026-20 (735.83 KB)