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Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama
The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Homoptera: Psyllidae) is a pest of citrus and close relatives of citrus. It is found in tropical and subtropical Asia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Reunion, Mauritius, parts of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In the United States, Asian citrus psyllid was first found in Palm Beach County, Florida, in June 1998 in backyard plantings of Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine). By 2001, it had spread to 31 counties in Florida with much of the spread due to movement of infested nursery plants. In the spring of 2001, Asian citrus psyllid was accidentally introduced into the Rio Grande Valley of Texas on potted nursery stock (orange jasmine) from Florida. As of the summer of 2008 it was found in Florida, Texas, S. Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Hawaii and Mexico. Soon after it was found in Tijuana Mexico, it was found in the San Diego area (September 2008).
Asian citrus psyllid damages plants directly through its feeding activities. New shoot growth that is heavily infested by psyllids does not expand and develop normally and is susceptible to breaking off. While direct damage is serious, there is much greater concern that the psyllid is an efficient vector of the bacterium that causes the economically devastating disease called citrus greening or “Huanglongbing”. Until recently, citrus greening was not found in the United States. In September 2005, infected citrus trees were found in two locations in Florida and since then the disease has spread throughout the citrus growing regions of Florida and is currently causing devastating losses of citrus in that state. A single infected tree was found in Louisiana in 2008 and trees with suspicious symptoms have been seen in Mexico. This disease has prevented citrus from being grown in many areas of the world.
A disease-free citrus budwood program combined with detection and eradication of Asian citrus psyllid are essential components of the program that protects the California citrus industry from the devastating effects of citrus greening disease.
North American/US Alerts 2008
Asian citrus psyllid: Currently found in Florida, S. Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii
and most of Mexico including Tijuana.
Huanglongbing or citrus greening disease: Currently found in Florida and
Louisiana.
Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Greening Disease ANR publication #8205. A color brochure that describes the psyllid and the disease.
Citrus Bacterial Canker Disease and Huanglongbing (Citrus Greening) ANR publication #8218
Posters and cards describing ACP and HLB in English, Spanish, and Chinese
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