Oriental fruit fly prompts California quarantine

LOS ANGELES  — State agriculture officials Wednesday declared a fruit quarantine in the Artesia/Cerritos area of L.A. County and the Anaheim area of Orange County following the detection of oriental fruit flies.

 

Multiple adult flies and larvae have been detected on properties within a 130-square-mile quarantine zone, California Department of Food and Agriculture officials said.

 

The zone is centered on the Anaheim and Artesia/Cerritos areas and includes portions of Buena Park, Cypress, and Stanton, reaching south to Westminster Boulevard, north to Florence Avenue, west to Paramount Boulevard, and to the east to Anaheim Boulevard.

 

“Our system to detect invasive species like the oriental fruit fly is working well and according to design,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “The key is to respond quickly and take action before the pests can spread.”

 

The oriental fruit fly is known to target over 230 different fruit, vegetable and plant commodities. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots that tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

 

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For an interactive map of the quarantine area, click here.