Aydın citrus producers warned of Mediterranean fruit fly threat

The Aydın Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry has announced the start of the combat period against the Mediterranean fruit fly in citrus orchards. This pest causes significant product loss and quality decline by causing fruit to drop or become infested with larvae. Additionally, because the fly is classified as an external quarantine pest, it poses a risk to citrus exports.

Monitoring through traps throughout the year indicates that citrus fruits in Aydın have reached the ‘hitting maturity’ stage, where fruit skins begin to change color and the fruit becomes sweeter and juicier. This is the period when the pest can begin to cause damage.

Producers have two primary options for management:

1. Biotechnical control: Using licensed mass traps, which must remain on trees until harvest. Producers using this method are eligible for ‘Biotechnical Combat Support’ payments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

2. Chemical control: Using licensed pesticides for partial branch spraying. If this method is chosen, spraying should occur at 7-10 day intervals and continue until 10 days before harvest.

Authorities have also issued a warning to producers to inform local beekeepers before applying chemical pesticides to prevent bee deaths.