Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program Update
Tips for Caring for Your Backyard Citrus Tree
Though your citrus tree may not be producing a lot of fruit during the summer months, it’s still important to check your citrus tree for the Asian citrus psyllid, which can carry a deadly and incurable citrus tree disease called Huanglongbing. HLB has already been found in urban areas of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, and it is a threat to California’s iconic citrus.
Follow these steps while tending to your citrus tree:
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Inspect your tree for the Asian citrus psyllid. The pest is most noticeable when new leaves are growing on the tips of the branches.
- Adult Asian citrus psyllids are small, brown pests that feed on citrus leaves with their body at a 45-degree angle.
- Young Asian citrus psyllids, called nymphs, produce a white, waxy substance to direct honeydew away from their bodies.
- If you think you have found the Asian citrus psyllid, report your findings to the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 800-491-1899.
- Don’t move citrus fruit or plant materials off of your property, as this may help the Asian citrus psyllid spread.
- Ask your local nursery about treatment options to help protect your trees from the Asian citrus psyllid.
For photos of the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB symptoms, click here.
Recent Media Coverage
- Visalia Times-Delta - Nov. 12, 2018 A scourge of insects could decimate Tulare County citrus, 250 psyllids found in Visalia
- San Bernardino Sun - Nov. 5, 2018 Cal Poly breeds parasitic wasps to battle disease that kills citrus trees
- ABC 7 - Oct. 30, 2018 Cal Poly Pomona uses tiny wasp to help protect California’s citrus trees
- KTLA - Oct. 30, 2018 Millions of Tiny Wasps Unleashed to Protect SoCal Citrus Trees
- 23ABC News Bakersfield – Oct. 17, 2018 Asian citrus psyllids found in Kern County
- Western Farm Press – Oct. 6, 2018 New ACP find in Kern County raises concerns
- Sacramento Bee – Sept. 11, 2018 Citrus disease could kill California industry if Congress slows research, growers warn
- Western FarmPress – July 31, 2018 Huanglongbing continues to spread across southern California
- AG Net West – July 10, 2018 Governor Brown Increases Funding for Citrus Protection
- Daily Bulletin – June 28, 2018 Redlands event offers update on Asian citrus psyllid, quarantine zones
- Lodi News-Sentinel – June 9, 2018 Citrus tree owners warned not to move fruit, trees
- OC Register – June 6, 2018 Want to help fight citrus greening disease? Take the leaves off that orange before sharing it
- San Luis Obispo Tribune – May 31, 2018 These invasive insects kill citrus trees. More than 100 have been found in SLO County
- Bakersfield Now – May 30, 2018 To stop spread of pest, Californians are asked to remove leaves before transporting citrus
- OC Register – May 19, 2018 Orange County citrus at a crossroad
- LA Times – April 11, 2018 Can California avert a citrus apocalypse?
- New Santa Ana – April 5, 2018 Deadly citrus tree disease found in Santa Ana
- Western Farm Press – Jan. 5, 2018 What could Huanglongbing look like in your citrus?
- Nursery Management – Dec. 22, 2017 New regional quarantine amendment proposed for Asian citrus psyllid
- Whittier Daily News – Dec. 18, 2017 Dozens of trees with incurable disease found in Pico Rivera
- Inland Empire – Dec. 7, 2017 City of Riverside’s Joyce Jong Named "Citrus Hero"
Recent Press Releases
- July 26, 2017 – Agricultural Officials Taking Steps to Battle Citrus Disease Recently Detected in Riverside
- May 19, 2017 – New State Regulations Requires All Bulk Citrus Fruit be Covered During Transit
- Feb. 2, 2017 – Huanglongbing Detection Threatens Orange County’s Citrus Heritage
- Oct. 17, 2016 – Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine in Portion of Placer County
- July 13, 2016 – Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantines in Merced and Monterey Counties
- Oct. 7, 2016 – Free Information Session About Asian Citrus Psyllid on Oct. 12 in Bakersfield
- Aug. 26, 2016 – Huanglongbing Detection in Mexicali Puts Pressure on California Citrus Growers and Residents to Protect Their Trees
- April 11, 2016 – CDFA Inspecting Citrus Trees in San Gabriel Valley After Detecting More Trees Infected with Huanglongbing
Media Assets
For press inquiries, contact:
Tracy Moehnke
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
619-296-0605
tm@nstpr.com
High-resolution photos of Asian citrus psyllids at various life stages and symptoms of Huanglongbing can be downloaded at the links below. Click here to download all photos.
All information, images and photos are provided by the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program for editorial use by press agencies, journalists and students in connection with broadcast media, newspapers, news magazines, trade publication and educational articles about the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing. Any other use of these materials is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances may these materials be used for personal or commercial purposes.