A portion of Los Angeles County, Calif. has been placed under quarantine for the Caribbean fruit fly (CFF) following the detection of two adult CFFs in and around the City of Montebello.

The quarantine area measures 75 square miles, bordered on the north by the city of Alhambra; on the south by the city of Downey; on the west by the city of Huntington Park; and on the east by the city of South El Monte. A link to the quarantine map can be found here.

The Caribbean fruit fly is a serious threat to the state’s agriculture and natural resources, with a very wide host range, including avocados, figs, citrus, peaches, pears and tomatoes.

To prevent the spread of this fruit fly through homegrown fruits and vegetables, residents living in the CFF quarantine area are urged to not move fruits and vegetables from their respective properties.  Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed (i.e. juiced, frozen, cooked or ground in the garbage disposal) at the property where they were picked.   If they are not consumed or processed, please dispose of them by double-bagging in plastic bags and putting the bags in the garbage bin for collection.

The most common pathway for these invasive species to enter our state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers as they return from infested regions around the world, or in packages of home grown produce sent to California from other states or countries.

To help prevent infestations, officials ask that residents do not transport or mail fresh fruit, vegetables, plants or soil into California unless agricultural inspectors have cleared the shipment beforehand, as fruit flies and other invasive species can hide in a variety of produce.

You can find more information here.