Ventura County, one of Californa's major citrus-growing regions, is under quarantine following the discovery of a second Asian citrus psyllid, reports The Packer.
The latest find was discovered near Santa Paula, some 20 miles from a mid-December find in a small grove on the coast.
Psyllids were first discovered in California over two years ago near San Diego, but joint treatment efforts by the USDA, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Citrus Research Board had up to now kept the pest out of commercial groves.
"We always thought it could happen, that it could move up the coast from the Los Angeles area," Bob Blakely of California Citrus Mutual told The Packer. "It's one of our fears being realised."
As a result of the find, the Citrus Research Board will escalate its programme of setting traps and treating trees.
Lemons are harvested year-round in Ventura County. Fruit will be washed before transportation to packhouses outside the county.
The Ventura County quarantine includes more than 300m2 of southern Santa Barbara County, including the city of Santa Barbara.
Psyllid finds in urban areas over the last two years have led to quarantines in parts of San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
None of the psyllids found in California have so far tested positive for citrus greening disease.
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