Malathion and Medflies

I was shocked to read in a letter (Oct. 29) that someone felt that Hawaii had somehow “learned to live with the Medfly.” My parents have lived and farmed on Oahu for more than 20 years. Certain crops such as tomatoes, squash and melons, though well suited to the area, are simply not grown at all or grown in screen houses. Even then, anyone hoping to have a commercial crop must spray regularly and heavily and must still expect to lose a part of the crop to the Medfly. Much home-grown produce has to be cut open and examined for maggots.

If the Medfly established itself in California, we will all consume far more pesticides--fruits and vegetables will have to be sprayed more frequently. Produce will cost more and agricultural exports will be severely limited.

The only responsible course is to avoid bringing in the Medfly in the first place. Do not bring untreated fruit into the state under any circumstance.

C.M. BRUGALETTA, Fullerton