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vegetables, even within the state, would be disrupted <br />which could lead to higher prices in the supermarket. <br />Costly post-harvest treatment of fruits and vegetables to <br />meet quarantine restrictions of domestic and foreign <br />markets would also be required. If the medfly is not <br />eradicated in Florida, on-going pesticide treatments by <br />homeowners and commercial growers will be <br />necessary. <br />Adult medflies are up to 1/4" long, black with yellow <br />abdomens, and have yellow marks on their thoraxes. <br />Their wings are banded with yellow. The female Medfly <br />damages produce by laying eggs in the host fruit or <br />vegetable. The resulting larvae feed on the pulp, <br />rendering the produce unfit for human consumption. In <br />addition to citrus, medflies will feed on hundreds of <br />other commercial backyard fruit and vegetable crops. <br />Because medflies are not strong fliers, the pest is <br />spread by the transport of larval -infested fruit. The <br />major threats come from travelers, the U.S. mail, and <br />commercial fruit smugglers. Several steps have been <br />taken to prevent new infestations. State and federal <br />officials are working with postal authorities to develop <br />ways to inspect packages suspected of carrying <br />infested fruit. In addition, public education efforts <br />carrying the message, "Don't Spread Med" are being <br />expanded (Florida Department of Agriculture and <br />Consumer Services). <br />(3) Sugarcane Pests <br />Changes in sugarcane agriculture, including new <br />disease and insect pests, have seriously impacted the <br />quality of cane and juice delivered to the mill for <br />processing. These changing developments affect the <br />level of sucrose, purity, fiber, and color of cane resulting <br />in a loss of sugar and decrease in the quantity and <br />quality of sugar produced (Legendre et. al, 1998). <br />(4) Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCY) <br />The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curt Virus is believed to have <br />entered the state in Dade County sometime in early <br />1997 (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 22 <br />