Media Contacts: Steve Lyle, Director of Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, slyle@cdfa.ca.gov, Larry Hawkins, USDA, (916) 930-5509
Aircraft and a display of captive sterile flies will be available for video/photos
WHAT: A twin-turbine King Air plane carrying approximately 1.5 million sterile Mediterranean fruit flies will release its cargo over the Dixon area on Friday. The plane will fly into the area at approximately 10:30 a.m. and begin releasing the sterile flies near Wiegand Park, at the corner of Wiegand Way and Fulmor Drive. The plane will then land at Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville at approximately 11 a.m. and be available for video and photos. A display case of captive sterile flies will also be available.
WHEN: Friday, September 14, 2007
10:30 a.m. Plane flies over Wiegand Park and begins releasing sterile flies
11:00 a.m. Plane lands at Nut Tree Airport
WHERE: Wiegand Park is at the corner of Wiegand Way and Fulmor Drive in Dixon, CA. (About 10 minutes northeast of the Nut Tree Airport).
Nut Tree Airport is at 301 County Airport Road in Vacaville, CA (take the Monte Vista exit from I-80).
WHY: The Medfly can infest over 260 types of fruits and vegetables, causing severe impacts on California agricultural exports and backyard gardens. A permanent infestation would result in estimated annual losses of $1.3 to $1.8 billion.
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