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- Jun 17, 2021
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- 15
Recently, Igor posted on OurFigs about a pest that he found in some figs. A few others posted about seeing the same. I have now found it as well and have contacted the state. They suspect it could be a very troubling pest. ID is Mediterranean Black Fig Fly. Either of which is NOT a good thing and it seems like we have reports from Santa Barbara down to Orange County and possibly farther south.
The state sent a team of people here today and they have been collecting samples and they asked me to inform everyone about the potential hazard and asked for them to please report any similar findings, as soon as possible, to their local county ag department for sample pickup and testing.
I returned from Costa Rica a week ago and found a couple of figs the first day back and since then, I have collected over 100 additional affected figs. Not good at all.
Here are some pics of what I am finding. These larvae can also curl on themselves and spring away, up to 6 feet.
Here is the original post and there is excellent information there as well.
UPDATE: Looks like it has been confirmed that this IS Mediterranean Black Fig Fly. Please take a look at his, linked post for more details.
UPDATE 2: This appears to have entered the US through the fresh fig market and that is one of the primary ways it can spread but this is also spread through the soil. The larva fall to the ground and mature there, emerging as the adult BFF. It will be critical to make sure not to spread around potentially contaminated plants.
UPDATE 3: Great article about the BFF and treatment protocols
givingtrees.co.za
The state sent a team of people here today and they have been collecting samples and they asked me to inform everyone about the potential hazard and asked for them to please report any similar findings, as soon as possible, to their local county ag department for sample pickup and testing.
I returned from Costa Rica a week ago and found a couple of figs the first day back and since then, I have collected over 100 additional affected figs. Not good at all.
Here are some pics of what I am finding. These larvae can also curl on themselves and spring away, up to 6 feet.
Here is the original post and there is excellent information there as well.
Wow! Jumping worms inside my figs !?! - Ourfigs.com
That was freaky for sure. I noticed a few misshapen figs that were soft on touch (they should be hard at that size). Under a closer investigation I saw a dark dot that looked like an entry point when an egg is deposited. When I cut opened the fig, I found a white worm (only one), alive and...
www.ourfigs.com
UPDATE: Looks like it has been confirmed that this IS Mediterranean Black Fig Fly. Please take a look at his, linked post for more details.
UPDATE 2: This appears to have entered the US through the fresh fig market and that is one of the primary ways it can spread but this is also spread through the soil. The larva fall to the ground and mature there, emerging as the adult BFF. It will be critical to make sure not to spread around potentially contaminated plants.
UPDATE 3: Great article about the BFF and treatment protocols
Giving Trees Fig Tree Problems
Read all about what problems there are when growing figs and let Giving Trees help you prevent or overcome them.
