East Los Angeles and Montebello are placed under fruit fly quarantine

East Los Angeles —State officials have imposed a quarantine over parts of southeast Los Angeles County, including East Los Angeles, after two Caribbean fruit flies were found in and around Montebello — the first detection of the invasive pest in California since 1985.

The 75-square-mile quarantine area includes portions of Montebello, Alhambra, Downey, Huntington Park and South El Monte, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The Caribbean fruit fly poses a serious threat to crops such as avocados, citrus, figs, peaches, pears and tomatoes. State officials are urging residents within the quarantine zone not to move homegrown fruits or vegetables off their properties. Produce can be eaten or processed at home — such as juiced, cooked, or frozen — but should othe