The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-08-06
BLACK FLY MENACES
FLORIDA CITRUS GROVES

Gainesville, Aug. 6.--On two oc-
casions during the month of july III
spectors of the quarantine depart
ment of the state plant board, sta
toned at Key West, intercepted and
prevented introduction into this state
from Cuba Of the dangerous insect
known as the black fly. This pest is
firmly established in Cuba, the Bahia
ma Islands and other parts of the
American tropics. It is close rela-
tive of the common citrus white fly
which is such source of worry, trou-
BILE and expense to the Florida grower.
The black fly, however, attacks more
plants than does our common white
fly and its effects are much more SER
ious. The Cuban government has
for several years been attempting to
eradicate the pest but SO far it's eff
forts have been unsuccessful The
best it has been able to accomplish is
in some measure to reduce the dam
age due to the pest in the infested
areas and to retard its spreading
somewhat
In commenting on the two recent
interruptions at Key West of infest-
ed material. Plant Commissioner Will
mon Newell said: "On both occas-
ions black fly larvae and eggs were
found in the personal hand baggage
of passengers of passengers from
Havana, Cuba; the infestation being
upon the foliage of lines. In both
cases the lines had been secured by
the passengers for their use while en-
route from Havana to points north.
Also in both instances the quantity
of lines remaining upon arrival at
Key West would probably only have
been sufficient to have supplied the
passengers requirements while en-
route along the East Coast of Flor
ida to Jacksonville. Had the inter-
ceptions not been made there can be
but little doubt that the passengers
would have thrown out of the car
window at some point along the East
Coast the lime twigs and leaves re-
naming after all of the lines had
been consumed, thus possibly estab-
fishing black fly infestations at sew
eral points in the citrus growing sec
tion of the East Coast. It seems
that these two interruptions are Of
especial interest as illustrating the
necessity for close inspection of hand
baggage as well as all other material
arriving from fy-infested ports, also
as showing the possibility of black
fly becoming established along the
railroad lines of Florida leading
from our principal ports of entry. In
this connection might add that it is
rather surprising to plant board of.
ficials that the black fly has not be.
come established in Florida when one
considers the many channels of com.
fnunication between the islands anG
the mainland Horticultural materia
infested with the black fly has beer
intercepted on a number of occasions
by our inspectors. These men are
stationed at the several ports of en-.
try of the state and closely scrutinizt
all plants and plant product ship.
ments. In addition to this there are
located at Key West and Port Tampa
the two principal ports of entry thrl
which fruits and vegetables from
NdOA al C4uAp
ped fumigating houses where all fruit
and vegetables arriving from Cubs
are treated by means of hydrocyanit
acid gas. Notwithstanding all of the
precautions which are being taken tt
prevent the entry of the black fly int
Florida the changes of its gaining {
foothold in the state are nevertheless.
great. Fruit growers are urged
therefore, to report to the state plan
board or to the experiment station
both at Gainesville. any condition
found in their paintings which the.
regard as suspicious. By so doing al
infestation of black fly may be dis
covered in its incipiency and promp
and vigorous measures taken t,
handle the situation"