In 2021 the black FIG fly (BFF) was discovered infesting figs in orchards throughout southern california and has since been found in the central coast counties and parts of northern california

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture a $100,000 cooperative agreement on July 1, 2026, to conduct targeted visual surveys for black fig fly (BFF) infestation across California's primary fig-producing counties.

The recipient will conduct a visual survey of commercial fig orchards in Fresno, Merced, Madera, and Kern Counties from July through September 2026. Staff will be trained on BFF identification and survey procedures. The survey deploys 110 traps per county and involves visual inspection of trees near traps, with priority given to locations with dropped fruit. Inspectors will collect potentially infested fruits to assess for larvae emergence. Suspect samples will be submitted to the Plant Pest Diagnostic Center for examination and identification by an insect biosystematist. Survey thoroughness will be evaluated by trap placement count and sample submission volume. Negative results would indicate BFF has not been introduced in three of the four surveyed counties; positive results would support detection and further response efforts.

The award addresses BFF's threat to California fig production following its 2021 discovery in Southern California orchards and subsequent spread to the Central Coast and Northern California, with a single detection in Merced County in 2025.

Period of performance runs July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Work is performed in California.

Activities

Staff performing the survey will be trained on how to conduct the survey, preliminary identification BFF, and sample submission procedures. Suspect samples will be sent to the plant pest diagnostic center (ppdc) for examination and identification by an insect biosystematist. The BFF survey will be conducted over the period from july through september. A total of 110 traps will be placed in commercial FIG orchards in each of the four counties. Inspectors will visually survey near the traps, prioritizing those with dropped fruit. Scanning each tree they survey for signs of BFF infestation, and collec ting potentially infested fruits to see if larvae emerge for identification. Deliverables and expected outcomes: evaluation of the thoroughness of the survey can be quantified by the number of traps placed and number of samples submitted for analysis. The survey methods described in this document target likely introduction pathways in the top FIG producing counties in california. Targeting the survey on those areas that have the greatest risk for introduction should allow for a reasonable expectation for the detection of introductions of this pest in these counties. Negative survey results would indicate that BFF has not been introduced in three counties, and not established in merced. The program will be considered successful if BFF is not detected, thereby showing an area free from these pests. Intended beneficiary(IES): the central valley produces 80% of the nation's figs. California produces 100% of the dried figs and 98% of the fresh figs grown commercially in the u.s, cultivated over 93,00 acres. Recent research indicates that the BFF is capable of surviving and becoming established in the central valley of california which poses a significant threat to the FIG industry by reducing crop yields and escalating production costs for this crop. The establishment of BFF in the primary FIG production counties will likely lead to increased pesticide usage and production costs, and limited export markets. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: county agricultural commissioners (CAC) will assist with this survey. Cost categories: personnel: $23,616; fringe benefits: $12,862; travel: $1,014; supplies: $570; contractual: $41,523; other: $7,290; indirect costs: $13,125