An adult Mediterranean fruit fly was found late last week near the Tolenas area of south Fairfield and Suisun City, according to the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
The Mediterranean fruit fly, or medfly, was found in an insect trap baited with lures to attract it, and its discovery triggered an extensive survey and the placement of 1,095 additional insect traps covering 81 square miles, agricultural officials said.
The traps have been checked and no additional medflies were found.
The medfly can infest more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables, impacting agricultural imports and backyard gardens.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture verified the DNA of the mature female medfly with well-developed eggs inside that was found last week, matching it to populations in Hawaii. Scientists are trying to determine if it is part of a breeding population or is an isolated incident.
When a single medfly is found within three projected life cycles, a quarantine to restrict fruits and vegetables is imposed by federal laws, agricultural officials said.
A single medfly was found in Vacaville in October 2016 but a quarantine was not necessary. Several medflies that were found in Dixon in 2007 and 2008 shared the same genetic biotype as the medfly found last week and a quarantine to eradicate it was established, according to the Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
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Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jim Allan said residents should be aware that uncertified produce from foreign countries, Puerto Rico and Hawaii may carry the risk of an infestation.
