The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is marking 50 years of the Medfly Program, an international partnership that has helped protect agriculture from one of the world’s most destructive pests, the Mediterranean fruit fly.

Launched in 1975 through a collaboration between the United States, Mexico and Guatemala, the Medfly Program has grown into a global model for pest management and agricultural protection, a news release from APHIS said. The Mediterranean fruit fly, known as Medfly, can infest more than 350 types of fruits and vegetables, threatening food security, international trade and agricultural economies.

For five decades, the trilateral effort has helped maintain a protective barrier against the pest’s northward spread, safeguarding billions of dollars in agricultural production and trade.

At the center of the program’s success is the sterile insect technique, an environmentally friendly pest control method that disrupts reproduction among insect populations. Through the El Pino facility in Guatemala, the world’s largest sterile insect production center, APHIS and its partners produce 1.2 billion sterile Medflies each week.

The sterile flies are released in targeted areas where they help suppress wild Medfly populations. The approach has played a key role in maintaining Medfly-free zones in California and Florida while reducing pest pressure in surrounding regions.

The program’s results include fewer pesticide applications, healthier crops and stronger trade relationships, according to APHIS.

Beyond protecting U.S. agriculture, the Medfly Program has become a benchmark for international cooperation and innovation in pest management. Its success has helped inspire similar efforts around the world and has strengthened the United States’ role as a leader in agricultural biosecurity.

Today, the program protects more than $18.5 billion in U.S. agricultural production and trade. APHIS continues to adapt the program by incorporating advanced tools and data-driven strategies designed to address emerging threats.

As the Medfly Program celebrates its 50th anniversary, APHIS is encouraging travelers, growers and consumers to help protect the nation’s agricultural resources. Following travel restrictions on fresh produce and remaining alert to invasive pests can help prevent threats like the Medfly from entering the country.

More information about the Medfly and ways to help protect agriculture is available at www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/medfly.