The Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner’s office says one Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) was found on a trap north of the Fresno/Tulare County line. It is the first ACP discovered in Fresno County.
The latest interception found in a Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter trap was confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Maps and current information will soon be available on the Agricultural Commissioner’s website: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/Departments.aspx?id=114.
The discovery is within the current Dinuba quarantine boundary.
Agricultural Commissioner Les Wright stated “the quarantine boundary currently set for the Dinuba quarantine will move 5 miles north of this latest find and encompass areas north of Orange Cove. The area within 800 meters of the latest find will be treated.”
CDFA staff continues to utilize traps and surveys of our county in order to determine the extent of these infestations. 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.
Wright points out that every resident of Fresno County plays a vital role in assuring that ACP is not spread from other parts of the state. “Do not bring citrus fruit, leaves, cuttings, or trees from other parts of the state.” He said “it only increases the chances of introducing more ACP to our County.”
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.
Residents in the area who think they may have seen the pest are urged to call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner.
For a video of Wright discussing the Asian citrus psyllid and how to spot it, click here.