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After discovery of three Mediterranean fruit flies, or medflies, in October, Los Angeles County officials dropped millions of sterile flies on a 9-square-mile area around Baldwin Hills to prevent an outbreak.

Within 200 meters of each detection of medflies, properties will be treated with an organic insecticide, and within 100 meters of each detection of larvae or multiple adults, fruit must be removed from trees.

Recently, some scientists have questioned the assumption that the medfly and related species have not established permanent populations in the United States.

The female medfly "stings" fruits as she lays her eggs, making them vulnerable to infection and rot.

In Guatemala, field releases of the wasp in coffee plantations resulted in a 50 to 60 percent reduction of the medfly, researchers said.