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

Print

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 
DA-2026-34 
September 3, 2026 


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 expanding the area quarantined for citrus black spot (CBS), caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, in Florida. APHIS is expanding the quarantined area in Florida by adding eight sections in Charlotte County, 18 sections in Collier County, one section in Glades County, two sections in Hendry County, four sections in Lee County, and two sections in Polk County. APHIS is taking this action because of CBS detections in samples collected during the 2025/2026 growing season.

CBS was first identified in Collier and Hendry Counties in 2010. The disease is currently confined to portions of eight counties in Florida.

APHIS continues to apply safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement, or entry into foreign trade, of regulated articles from the quarantined areas under Federal Order DA-2024-30. Fresh citrus fruit moved interstate from quarantined areas must be processed using APHIS-approved methods and packed in commercial citrus packinghouses operating under an APHIS compliance agreement. Fresh, mature rutaceous leaves for consumption moved interstate from quarantined areas must meet the conditions in Federal Order DA-2022-07 and operate under an APHIS compliance agreement. APHIS prohibits the movement of any other citrus plant parts outside the quarantined area.

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

For additional information you may contact:

Abby R. Stilwell 
Agriculturalist 
(919) 323-6296 
abby.r.stilwell@usda.gov

/s/

Matthew A. Rhoads 
Deputy Administrator 
Plant Protection and Quarantine 

Attachment: Quarantined Areas: Citrus Black Spot