Another tree has been confirmed as huanglongbing (HLB) positive in Southern California. This most recent HLB find is outside of the current quarantine, which is just north in Los Angeles County.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed another HLB discovery in Southern California. CDFA’s Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) reported that an orange tree in Cerritos has tested positive for HLB. Cerritos is just outside of the current HLB quarantine that covers the San Gabriel and Hacienda Heights areas of Los Angeles County.
The CPDPP said the tree was located across the street from an area where the CPDPP found Asian citrus psyllids that were carrying the bacteria that causes the disease. The homeowner was cooperative in the process and allowed CDFA to remove the tree immediately. The CPDPP said this will result in a new HLB quarantine area that will include parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties.
This HLB find will also trigger mandatory treatments for Asian citrus psyllids in the area and the CPDPP said those will begin January 9. Read the report from the CPDPP and see quarantine maps.