Arizona is again expanding its citrus quarantine because of a tiny insect that has devastated groves in Florida.
The state Department of Agriculture announced Thursday it is adding a small part of Maricopa County around Gila Bend to the areas under quarantine for the Asian citrus psyllid.
Quarantine areas already extended southward from Mohave County into La Paz County and from Yuma County eastward into western Pima County and a small part of Santa Cruz County.
The psyllid can carry citrus greening disease. Arizona officials said they were watching for the first sign of the disease itself.
State quarantines restrict movement of potential carriers such as uncertified fruit, leaves or plants, and Arizona requires treatment of any commercial citrus groves or nursery where the disease has been detected.
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