(a) The Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly), Anastrepha ludens, a dangerous insect pest of the host plants listed in §19.503 of this subchapter (relating to Regulated Articles), is the quarantined pest.
(b) Basis for the quarantine. The Mexfly is not native to the United States, but is able to establish infestations in Texas and some other parts of this country through cross-border traffic and trade and by natural dispersal. Mated female Mexflies oviposit in fruit, and resulting larvae feed on the flesh of the fruit, thereby making the fruit unmarketable. The department, many other states, and the USDA consider the Mexican fruit fly to be a serious plant pest whose control and eventual eradication from quarantined areas is imperative.
(c) The department is authorized by the Texas Agriculture Code, §71.002, to establish a quarantine against the dangerous insect pest identified in this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §19.500 adopted to be effective January 20, 2015, 40 TexReg 326