NBC PALM SPRINGS - Christiana Green runs four farmers markets across the Coachella Valley with vendors selling all kinds of produce.
“It could decimate our farmers markets and the availability of the freshest food available,” she said.
Green is talking about a large infestation of the Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsali) which were recently found in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
“It’s really serious,” said Bodil Cass with the UC Riverside Entomology department. These flies lay their eggs in the fruit that is growing in the trees and the maggots eat the fruit before it’s ready to harvest. So, basically you go to harvest your fruit and it’s full of maggots.”