The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Sept. 1 it was increasing the area quarantined for citrus black spot (CBS) in Florida. It expanded the quarantined area by adding eight sections in Charlotte County, 15 sections in Collier County, one section in Glades County, six sections in Hendry County and two sections in Polk County.
APHIS took this action because of CBS detections in samples collected during the 2025–26 growing season. The agency acted in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry.
CBS is a disease caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa. It is spread through leaf litter, from fruit to fruit and leaves through rain splash, and through human-assisted movement. When trees are severely infected, fruit may drop prematurely, resulting in significant yield loss…