1,200 Traps Hung as Female Medfly Is Found in Miami

MIAMI — Workers hung 1,200 flytraps and inspectors were out in force Tuesday after agriculture officials found a female Mediterranean fruit fly, which could signal the second infestation of the pest in less than a year.

“We’re hoping this is a single fly, that she was a hitchhiker on a ship or a plane,” said Linda Perry, spokeswoman for the Florida Division of Plant Industry. “The worst thing that could’ve happened is that she’s part of an infestation that’s already established in the northeast Miami area.”

The state’s previous infestation was discovered last June when Medflies, which lay eggs in citrus and other fruit, were discovered in Miami’s Little Havana district. That triggered a four-month, $1.6-million eradication program that turned up 13 Medflies before officials declared victory.