Puerto Rico's Department of Agriculture reported that USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed identification of two specimens of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in traps set up in Old San Juan. The specimens were collected July 16, 2026, in Jackson traps near Paseo de la Princesa, as part of USDA APHIS's ongoing phytosanitary surveillance program. Additional specimens caught in the area remain under technical evaluation pending federal confirmation.
The fly, capable of attacking more than 250 fruit and some vegetable species, is considered one of the most economically damaging agricultural pests. Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres said the agency immediately activated its phytosanitary emergency protocols and reinforced technical, operational and surveillance resources to support containment and eradication efforts. He said the pest poses no risk to human health but threatens crops, since females lay eggs inside fruit and larvae feed on the pulp, damaging quality and marketability.
Rodríguez Torres said he has met with USDA APHIS, the Municipality of San Juan, emergency management teams, and specialized personnel to coordinate a rapid, organized and effective response focused on the identified area.