To prevent the spread of a serious bacterial disease that infects citrus crops, U.S. officials are expanding two federal quarantine areas.
What happened?
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has expanded the citrus greening quarantine in two Southern California counties, Fresh Fruit Portal reports.
APHIS is expanding the quarantine zone in the Capistrano Beach area of Orange County by 29 square miles and in the Murrieta area of Riverside County by 129 square miles. Before the expansion was announced, plant tissue samples collected from Orange and Riverside counties tested positive for citrus greening.
According to APHIS, no commercial citrus trees in Orange County are currently affected by the quarantine expansion. However, 170 acres of commercial citrus trees in Riverside County have been affected by the citrus greening quarantine.
Why is expanding the citrus greening quarantine important?
The quarantine expansion is coordinated with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Their goal is to curb citrus greening by restricting the movement of citrus materials within the state, consistent with 7 CFR 301.76.
“This action is necessary to prevent the spread of citrus greening disease to uninfected areas of the United States,” APHIS wrote in a news release.
The bacterial disease is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, an invasive insect first recorded in the United States in 1998. These invasive pests can wreak havoc on local ecosystems and economies by disrupting agricultural industries and disturbing native species.
Citrus greening disease, in particular, can be devastating to citrus crops. It can lead to reduced yields, poor fruit quality and higher production costs. This bacteria blocks the flow of nutrients to the plant, stunting growth and killing the roots. As APHIS points out, there is currently no known cure.
What steps are being taken to stop the spread of invasive species?
In 2025, this isn’t the first time California has taken drastic measures to deal with invasive insects. In September, the California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantined parts of Santa Clara County after officials discovered the invasive Mediterranean fruit fly.
By preventing the spread of invasive species, outbreaks can be minimized.
“Quarantine is a way to minimize damage and stop the risk of transmission by restricting the movement of fruits and vegetables,” CDFA wrote in a release.
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