Mediterranean fruit flies now reported in Florida

Mediterranean fruit flies were found in Florida, and agricultural officials said the crop-destroying pest posed a threat to the state's valuable citrus orchards. The scare comes less than a month after an outbreak of the insect threatened havoc in California, but was contained by aerial pesticide spraying.

Officials said three fruit flies were discovered just a few miles from Tampa on the west coast and not far from Florida's citrus-growing belt. Officials added they were trying to determine the extent of the infestation before deciding what measures should be taken to protect Florida's $12 billion-a-year agriculture industry.