Producers of fruits and vegetables in three regions of Bolivia lose $113 million dollars each year because of the damage caused by the fruit fly plague, said the Secretary of Productive Development and Plural Economy of Cochabamba, Pedro Padilla.
The problems caused by the insect are concentrated in places that produce cherimoya, stonefruit and tomatoes, among others, stated ABI. The fruit fly laid their eggs in the fruit and vegetables ready for harvest, and their larvae almost completely devour them.
"The larvae finally cause the fruit to fall so it can't be used because it is already damaged," he added.
Padilla said Bolivia had started using some chemicals and biological substance to eradicate the pest. National experts are planning to intensify the fight against the fruit fly with the advice of experts in pest control from Chile and Argentina.
Source: fyh.es