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The Oriental fruit fly quarantine in California’s Orange County has been lifted following the eradication of the invasive pest. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Orange County agricultural commissioner, announced the action.
The Oriental fruit fly is known to infest more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, and poses a significant threat to agriculture.
Since the initial detection of Oriental fruit flies in November 2024, officials established a quarantine that spanned parts of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Orange, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. During the quarantine period, strict regulations were placed on growers and residents to prevent the movement of potentially infested produce.
CDFA emphasized the importance of continued vigilance, especially as the summer travel season is at its peak. Invasive pests, like the Oriental fruit fly, are often unintentionally introduced by the movement of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural items across state and international borders, typically through well-meaning sharing or shipping of homegrown produce.
Eliminating populations of invasive fruit fly species is a critical action to safeguard the future of California agriculture.
“Know what to look for when inspecting produce for fruit flies and inform your staff on how they can follow best practices and conduct visual or fruit cutting surveys on your property,” the California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) advised. “Please report any suspected invasive fruit fly sightings to the CDFA, the USDA or your local county agricultural commissioner.”
See CDFA’s Invasive Fruit Fly Quarantines in California website and a CDFA press release for additional details. For more information and free resources on invasive fruit flies in California, email CDFA’s invasive fruit fly outreach team at cdfa@nstpr.com or visit CAFruitFly.com.
Source: CPDPP
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