Adult Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. Photograph by Douglas L. Caldwell, University of Florida.
The Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s office is announcing that a single Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) has been detected on a trap northwest of the city of Orange Cove.
The latest interception was confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), bringing the number of psyllids found in our county to two. CDFA has already begun to saturate the affected area with detection traps in order to determine the extent of any infestation. Visual and tap surveys are being conducted in both residential and commercial host trees. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) and CDFA will work collaboratively to determine what steps are taken next.
The Asian citrus psyllid is an invasive species of grave concern because it can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening. All citrus and closely related species are susceptible hosts for both the insect and the disease. There is no cure once a tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will decline in health, producing bitter, misshaped fruit until it dies. To date, HLB has been detected on just one residential property in the Hacienda Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Agricultural Commissioner Les Wright points out that his staff will support the efforts of our $263 million citrus industry, as well as our residential citrus owners. “I want to emphasize that citrus fruit is safe to eat and the disease is not harmful to human health. The Asian citrus psyllid is another example of the many invasive species that enter our state every year,” said Wright. Residents in the area who think they may have seen the pest are urged to call: 800 491-1899 CDFA’s Pest Hotline or 559 684-3350 Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
Media inquiries related to technical questions about Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease are encouraged to contact: 559 600-7510 County of Fresno Department of Agriculture.