The US state of Florida has temporarily halted the import and sale of South African clementines following the discovery of moth larvae.
Inspections of South African fruit at wholesale and retail markets reportedly found 12 dead larvae of the false codling moth. The inspections were prompted by the discovery of live larvae in fruit shipped to California from SA.
The false codling moth has never before been found in the US, say reports. The moth's larvae feed on the inside of fruit.
