APHIS Updates the Citrus Black Spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) Quarantined Area in Florida

Print

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2025-21 
June 17, 2025

Subject: APHIS Updates the Citrus Black Spot (Phyllosticta citricarpa) Quarantined Area in Florida 

To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials 

Effective immediately, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS DPI), is adding nine sections in Collier County, seven sections in Glades County, and seven sections in Hendry County to the citrus black spot (CBS) quarantined area in Florida. Additionally, APHIS is establishing a quarantined area of 17 sections in Desoto County and one section in Highlands County, two new counties identified to have CBS. APHIS is taking this action because of confirmed detections of P. citricarpa (formerly known as Guignardia citricarpa), the causal agent of CBS, during annual surveys conducted by APHIS and FDACS DPI during the 2024/2025 growing season. APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement, or entry into foreign trade, of regulated articles from the quarantined area as outlined in Federal Order DA-2024-30. 

In 2010, CBS was first identified in Collier and Hendry Counties in Florida. The disease is currently confined to portions of eight counties in Southwest Florida. Fresh citrus fruit moved interstate from the CBS quarantined areas must be processed using APHIS-approved methods and packed in commercial citrus packinghouses operating under a compliance agreement with APHIS. Fresh, mature rutaceous leaves for consumption moved interstate from CBS quarantined areas must follow the conditions outlined in Federal Order DA-2022-07 and operate under a compliance agreement with APHIS. APHIS prohibits the movement of any other citrus plant parts outside the quarantined area. 

The APHIS Citrus Black Spot web page has information on this disease, Federal Orders, APHIS-approved packinghouse procedures, and a description of current Federal CBS quarantined areas. 

For additional information, you may contact: 

/s/ 

Matthew A. Rhoads 
Acting Deputy Administrator 
Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Attachment: Quarantined Areas: Citrus Black Spot