The State : Ash Whitefly Spread Seen

Infestations of the ash whitefly, until recently confirmed only in the Los Angeles area, have spread north to the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, raising concerns about possible damage to the fruit industry. The pest, native to Mediterranean countries, apparently has not yet spread into groves of fruit trees it is known to attack, but agriculture officials say it is only a matter of time. “Once it’s established in cities here, it will move out to the agriculture areas,” Fresno County entomologist Norman Smith said. “I would guess they might cause as much as a 50% crop loss,” said UC Riverside researcher Tom Bellows. Growers whose orchards become infested can expect lower yields and smaller fruit, Bellows said.