Another huanglongbing (HLB) infected tree has been found in Southern California. Although the HLB tree is in an urban area, it is outside of the current HLB quarantines. Officials said a new quarantine would be formed that will unite them all into one larger area.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reported that a tree in an urban area of La Habra has tested positive for HLB. CDFA’s Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) stated this find would trigger a new quarantine, merging all current quarantines into one large zone that includes areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
A total of 53 trees in California have tested positive for HLB disease. Another three trees were confirmed positive earlier this month in San Gabriel inside of a current quarantine area.
The CPDPP also reported that two Asian citrus psyllids in Anaheim tested positive for the bacteria that causes the disease. CDFA said they are treating plants in a surrounding 800-meter area where the traps are located, and no diseased trees have been found in that area so far.