More than 20 Tau fruit flies were found in the Stevenson Ranch area, near Santa Clarita, prompting the quarantine, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said in a July 25 news release. The Tau fruit fly, originating in Asia, is a “serious pest for agriculture and natural resources,” according to the release. It isn’t the first time the Tau fruit fly was found in California. The state agency plans to work with the US Department of Agriculture and local authorities to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread. Crews will cut host fruit and vegetables on properties within 200 meters of detections to inspect for fruit fly larvae, among other measures, the state agriculture agency said.

Source: CNN August 02, 2023 19:13 UTC