Queensland Fruit Fly Discovered

SAN DIEGO — A Queensland fruit fly, a housefly-sized insect from the South Pacific capable of damaging more than 100 types of fruits and vegetables, has been found in the La Mesa area of San Diego County.

County agriculture officials said Tuesday that it will be six months before they know for certain whether the insect represents an isolated case or possibly a danger to all of California’s vegetable and citrus crops.

Agriculture Commissioner Kathleen Thuner said 225 fruit fly traps were set up after the find last week, in addition to the more than 2,000 that are normally set throughout the county.

The commissioner said the discovery was a first for the Queensland fly in the United States. The brown and yellow fly normally inhabits Australia, Tahiti and other parts of the South Pacific.