Parts of California's San Diego County are currently under quarantine for this fruit fly. Mangan is proposing the new treatment as an alternative to methyl bromide, the chemical fumigant now being used that will be discontinued by 2001. His goal is in-transit treatments against the threat the Mexican fruit fly poses for any citrus crop grown in California or Texas. Results are not conclusive, but some combinations appear very effective at killing Mexican fruit flies. Krista Shellie, a plant physiologist at Weslaco, is testing fruit quality for the quarantine treatments program.
Grapefruit hold up well for a number of the proposed treatments.
Even if this approach succeeds, it would be only one of many kinds of methyl bromide alternatives that are needed. The in- transit period for produce being shipped from production areas is typically 1 to 3 weeks. Mangan's approach would include placing recording devices in multi-ton shipping containers to track the actual gas mixture and temperature over time. That way, inspectors at the receiving port can determine the treatment's integrity. Under this agreement, researchers will look for the perfect in-transit treatment that will protect citrus, mango, avocado, and other fresh fruit from pests such as Mediterranean, Mexican, Caribbean, and other fruit flies.