Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing
As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and diseases that Californians should be aware of, and providing information on how to report any suspect pests.
Knowing what to look for and reporting a suspect pest can help protect California agriculture and our communities.
Know it
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a small, invasive insect that feeds on citrus trees and their relatives. More importantly, ACP can spread Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, a devastating bacterial disease of citrus.
When an ACP feeds on an infected tree, it can acquire the bacteria that cause HLB and transmit the disease to other citrus trees as it feeds.
HLB is a death sentence for citrus! HLB affects all citrus varieties and causes infected trees to decline and eventually die.
Spot it
Adult Asian citrus psyllids are about 3 to 4 millimeters long, with a light brown head and mottled brown body. They have broad, mottled wings and may appear dusty because of a whitish waxy coating. Adults feed with their head down at a 45-degree angle.
Look for psyllids and their yellowish-orange nymphs on new citrus growth.
HLB can be difficult to detect because symptoms may take months or years to appear.
Signs of HLB can include blotchy, asymmetrical yellowing of leaves, yellow shoots or branches, fruit that remains partially green and may be misshapen or have an uneven color and rancid taste
Why it matters?
California is the number one producer of domestic citrus and is working to keep ACP and HLB from spreading because of the significant threat they pose to California’s citrus industry, backyard citrus trees and natural resources.
HLB is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus worldwide. Once a citrus tree is infected, there is no cure, and infected trees decline over time.
California has an active ACP/HLB prevention, detection and response program, including quarantines and treatment activities in areas where ACP and HLB have been detected.
What to do?
Do you think you may have found an Asian citrus psyllid or a citrus tree showing signs of HLB?
- Don’t move the insect, citrus plant material or potentially infested plants.
- Take a photo, if possible, and report the suspected pest or disease to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline: 1-800-491-1899 or at Californiacitrusthreat.org
- CDFA asks Californians to report suspected Asian citrus psyllids, as well as citrus trees showing unusual symptoms such as blotchy yellow leaves, yellow shoots or misshapen, poorly colored fruit.
- Do not move citrus plants or fruit. Moving citrus can unknowingly and artificially spread ACP and HLB to new areas.
Early detection and rapid response can help protect California’s citrus industry and prevent the spread of this devastating disease.
Learn more about Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing: