Florida and several other states are closing their borders to citrus from South Africa. In this state, inspectors found evidence of a potentially harmful moth in shipments from that country. The false codling moth had never been seen in the US – until a number of live larvae recently turned up at a California inspection station. They were in a shipment of South African Clementine oranges. Florida Department of Agriculture spokesperson Denise Fiber says the California discovery prompted Florida’s ban.

“We have also completed an inspection of all wholesale and retail markets in the state of Florida and have discovered 12 dead larvae in the Clementine oranges from South Africa – no live larvae. Even so, we feel we need to continue the ban until we’re certain that South Africa is following the new protocols.”

Fiber describes the moth as a real threat to All produce in the US. If anyone who’s purchased citrus finds larvae – she urges them to contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services immediately.