Florida agricultural officials temporarily banned South African clementine oranges because moth larvae were found in shipments to the United States.
Other citrus-producing states, including California and Arizona, took similar measures after the discovery of live larvae of the false codling moth in a shipment received at California border stations.
”We are very concerned about the potential impact this insect could have on Florida agriculture if it were to escape into the environment,” Florida agriculture commissioner Charles Bronson said on Wednesday.
”This is clearly a pest that we do not want in Florida.”
Last week, the department issued temporary stop-sale and hold orders on South African clementines in wholesale and retail markets in Florida while imported fruit was examined. No live larvae were found, but 12 dead larvae were.
The US Department of Agriculture has not issued a recall on the citrus, although the agency is now requiring that clementines go through a three-day pre-chilling period in South Africa and a 24-day cold-treatment period. The previous protocol only required cold treatment for 22 days in its country of origin or in transit to the United States.
The ban will be lifted in Florida once proof is received that the new protocol is being followed, agricultural officials said.
The false codling moth has never been found in the United States before the recent discovery. Larvae feed within the fruit of the host plant, usually with little evidence on the outside of the fruit until the inside is heavily damaged.
Clementines are small, sweet, seedless, peel easily like tangerines and are usually sold in small crates. – Sapa-AP