Photo: Map of the Tau Fruit Fly quarantine area in the Santa Clarita Valley provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
A fruit fly native to Asia has caused a quarantine on produce in the Santa Clarita Valley, as the bug has been identified as the yellow-and-black 'Tau' fruit fly, which wreaks havoc to many California crops, such as avocado, cucurbits, citrus, tomatoes and peppers.
In the last two weeks, there has been a 79-square-mile quarantine section due to the massive amounts of ‘Tau’ flies have been spotted in the Stevenson Ranch neighborhood in the SCV.
Food and Agriculture officials believe they were brought in through produce from out of state.
They are also working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County agricultural commissioner to eliminate and stop the spread of them.
Growers have been [informed to not move] any fruits and vegetables from their property. But, are green lit to cook or juice produce on the spot.