The California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program recently detected sweet orange scab (SOS) in new areas of the state. Besides that, an unofficial lime swallowtail butterfly (LSB) sample was identified from Los Angeles County, and several LSB sightings have been reported in Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties.

SOS is a cosmetic fungal disease that impacts the marketability of the fruit and affects all citrus. A positive detection was found during a commodity survey on the west side of Riverside County, the fourth detection in California within the last year and a half. To help protect citrus from SOS, growers and packinghouses within five miles from an SOS detection, and packinghouses throughout the state receiving fruit from groves within 5 miles from an SOS detection, are currently required to follow strict measures.

Click here for the article on citrusindustry.net.