Daily Q&A: How big of a concern is the Oriental fruit fly recently found in Pinellas County?

How much of a concern is the Oriental fruit fly found recently in Pinellas County?

The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a statement about the Oriental fruit fly that it "is considered one of the most serious of the world's fruit fly pests due to its potential economic harm. It attacks more than 100 different fruits, vegetables and nuts, including citrus, apples, guava, mango, tomatoes and peppers."

Two male Oriental fruit flies were trapped in Safety Harbor, prompting an intensified trapping effort by the department in an 81-square-mile area around the sighting location in Pinellas County.

For more information, visit the department's website at www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/exoticfruitflies.html for maps of the infested areas and detailed information on the Oriental fruit fly, or call the toll-free help line at 1-888-397-1517.