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Adult Med flies are up to '/4 inch long , black with yellow abdomens and have 1%W yellow marks on their thoraxes . Their wings are banded with yellow. The fernale Medfly damages produce by laying eggs in the host fruit or vegetable . The resulting larvae feed on the pulp , rendering the produce unfit for human consumption . In addition to citrus , med flies will feed on hundreds of other commercial and backyard fruit and vegetable crops . Because med flies are not strong fliers , the pest is spread by the transport of larval -infested fruit . The major threats come from travelers , the U . S . mail , and commercial fruit smugglers . Several steps have been taken to prevent new infestations , State and Federal officials are working with postal authorities to develop ways to inspect packages suspected of carrying infested fruit . In addition , public education efforts carryng the message , " Don 't Spread Med " are being expanded ( Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , 1998b ) . 4. 1 . 11 . 3 Sugarcane Pests Changes in sugarcane agriculture , including new disease and insect pests , have seriously impacted the quality of cane and juice delivered to the mill for processing , These changing developments affect the level of sucrose , purity , fiber, and color of cane , resulting in a loss of sugar and decrease in the quantity and quality of sugar produced ( Legendre et al . , 1998 ) . 4. 1 . 11 . 4 TYLCV The TYLCV is believed to have entered the state in Dade County sometime in '%r early 1997 ( Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services , 1999 ) . Symptoms vary among tomato types , but in general , leaves produced shortly after infection are reduced in size , distorted , cupped inward or downward , and have a yellow mottle . Fewer than 1 in 10 flowers will produce fruit after TYLCV infection , severely reducing yields . The virus is transmitted by adult silverleaf whiteflies . Although frequent applications of pesticides help to decrease whitefly populations and suppress the spread of TYLCV , virus management through whitefly control is not possible in years where whitefly populations are high . Fortunately , the virus is not transmitted through seed or casual contact with infected plants . 4. 1 . 11 . 5 Vulnerability Assessment Agricultural pests and diseases can have the following potential im acts within a community : • Human health and safety ; • Psychological hardship • Economic disruption ; • Agricultural/fisheries damage ; and • Damage to critical environmental resources . Agricultural pests and diseases are a more significant hazard in those areas of the County where agriculture is a more significant element in the economic base . The western %W 4-51