Two areas in San Luis Obispo County have been added to the quarantine for the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) following the detection of adults and nymphs in and around the City of San Luis Obispo and an adult in the unincorporated area of Cayucos. This brings the total quarantine area in San Luis Obispo County to 268 square miles.
The quarantine area in and around the City of San Luis Obispo measures 97 square miles, bordered on the north by the Los Padres National Forest Boundary; on the east by Burrito Creek; on the south by Davenport Creek Road; and on the west by Hollister Avenue. The quarantine around the unincorporated area of Cayucos measures 61 square miles, bordered on the north by Villa Creek; on the east by the Los Padres National Forest Boundary; on the south by CA State Route 41; and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The areas described above are in addition to an existing quarantine in the Arroyo Grande area, also in San Luis Obispo County. A map is available online at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/go/acp-quarantine
In addition to the quarantine areas in San Luis Obispo County; portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare County and the entire counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura remain under quarantine for ACP.
Citrus grown within quarantine areas can still be safely consumed by local residents. CDFA asks that residents enjoy their homegrown citrus on their own property, in order to prevent further spread of ACP.
The ACP is an invasive species of grave concern because it can carry the bacteria that causes the disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening. Citrus and some 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 until it dies. This plant disease does not affect human health.
HLB has been detected just once in California – in 2012 on a single residential property in Hacienda Heights, Los Angeles County. HLB is known to be present in Mexico and in parts of the southern U.S. Florida first detected ACP in 1998 and HLB in 2005. The two have now been detected in all 30 citrus-producing counties in Florida. The University of Florida estimates HLB has led to more than 6,600 lost jobs, $1.3 billion in lost revenue to growers, and $3.6 billion in lost economic activity. HLB is present in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. The states of Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi have detected ACP but not HLB.
Residents in the area who think they may have seen the Asian citrus psyllid are urged to call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. For more information on the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease, please visit: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/acp.