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Last month the California Department of Food and Agriculture extended quarantine in Riverside Country and Coachella Valley in order to isolate pests which have attacked local citrus trees.  The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is a pest which spreads the botanical disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB).  HLB first appeared in the U.S. in 2005 in the state of Florida.  Since then it has spread to each of the 30 states that produce citrus crops. 

The adult psyllids can be easily recognized feeding on leaves and mating.  Once they have mated the females will lay their eggs (between 800-1,000 per female) on new leaf buds.  Because of this the quarantine does not include the actual fruit, but any of the leaves or stems attached to the fruit must be removed before it can be shipped.

The ACP damages the plants in two ways.  1.  It feeds off the young plant growth; and 2. It passes on the Huanglongbing virus which destroys the plant’s ability to product fruit, and eventually kills the entire tree.  With California’s $1.2 billion citrus industry at stake, state officials are convinced that the quarantine is not a knee-jerk reaction. 

The CDFA has made every effort to contain the ACP, and is encouraging individuals to eat their own home-grown citrus produce and not to attempt to transport it outside the quarantined area.  Even though none of the ACP’s tested have been positive for Huanglongbing disease, CDFA officials are certain that it is a matter of time before it appears on the scene. 

If you suspect your personal citrus trees or other plants are infected with the Asian Citrus Psyllid, call the Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 760-482-4314 and report it. 

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/.