Asian citrus psyllid detected in Orange County
Aug 26, 2009 10:48 AM
Five Asian citrus psyllids have been detected in traps in Santa Ana in Orange County, Calif. This is the first time the pest has been trapped north of San Diego and Imperial counties.
The detections will trigger a quarantine. Until it can be established, CDFA will restrict movement of regulated plant material, including host plants, at wholesale and retail nurseries within 5 miles of the find site.
Additionally, CDFA is planning a treatment program and is trapping and surveying in the area to attempt to detect additional psyllids.
"The Asian citrus psyllid is a dangerous pest of citrus," said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. "We must move quickly to identify the full extent of the problem and do all we can to protect our state’s citrus industry."
The pest is of grave concern because it can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB). All citrus and closely related species are susceptible hosts for the insect and the disease.
There is no cure once a tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will decline in health until it dies. HLB has not been detected on trees in California.
The state of Florida first detected the pest in 1998 and the disease in 2005, and the two have now been detected in all 30 citrus-producing counties. The pest and the disease are also present in Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina. The states of Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama have detected the pest but not the disease.
For more information on the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB, visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/acp/.
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