French said that although false spider mites have usually affected Valley grapefruit in the past, the pests currently are damaging oranges in Brazil. The fact that the cause is a mystery is not unusual, French said. In any case, the mystery spots have not affected the taste, French said. Still, growers selling the fruit on the fresh fruit market need oranges that appeal to the eye as well as taste buds. Lang of Rio Hondo, who had not seen or heard of the recent batch of damaged citrus, said the fruit she and her husband ship in 2,000 gift baskets a year must be attractive.
Damaged fruit is sold for lower prices to roadside peddlers or others.
Donald Thompson, president of Thompson Grove Care in Weslaco, owns about 100 acres of citrus and looks after another 700 or 800 acres for other growers. We cull out a lot fruit that is just as good to eat as the other. All rights reserved.