The Insect: Asian Citrus Psyllid

What is the Asian Citrus Psyllid?

The Asian Citrus Psyllid is an aphid-like insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees and other citrus-like plants – but the real danger lies in that it can be a carrier of a deadly, bacterial tree disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) , also known as Citrus Greening Disease.

Where has the insect been found?

The disease-carrying Asian Citrus Psyllid has already caused devastation in Asia, India, parts of the Middle East, and South and Central America. It has even been found in Mexico, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In Florida, the psyllid and HLB are ravaging the citrus industry, with all 32 counties containing commercial citrus production having HLB.

Most recently, the threat to California became even more severe, when the Asian Citrus Psyllid was found just four blocks south of the International border in Tijuana, Mexico. Similarly, if not more alarming, the Asian Citrus Psyllid has been intercepted coming into California in packages of fruit and plants, including citrus, ornamentals and bouquets of cut flowers, shipped through the mail system from other states and countries. So far, it has been intercepted, destroyed and not established in our state.

What is being done to stop the insect?

Inspection of cargo at international ports, state lines, airports and mail-sorting facilities has already proved successful at intercepting the insect. Industry and governmental authorities are also working together on solutions, including quarantining the entire state of Florida for the psyllid and the disease, and parts of Texas and Louisiana for the psyllid. In addition, all vehicles and pedestrians entering from Mexico at Tijuana are inspected. Even so, the danger of the pest entering our state is still very high and consumers play a critical role in helping protect our state from the disease-carrying psyllid. Live plants or plant parts should never be transported from other states and people should inspect their citrus trees often.

Floral bouquets containing psyllid-infested orange jasmine have been intercepted coming into California from Mexico.

How would the Asian Citrus Psyllid enter our state?

Orange jasmine is a relative of citrus and can be a carrier of the disease-carrying psyllid.

The disease-carrying Asian Citrus Psyllid would be most likely to enter our state on citrus plants and close relatives of citrus – such as orange jasmine or curry leaves – that arrive in airplanes, ships, trucks, cars or mail. Distribution of orange jasmine plants by retail nurseries was the main method of movement of the Asian Citrus Psyllid throughout Florida. Floral bouquets containing psyllid-infested orange jasmine have been intercepted coming into California from Mexico.

Curry leaves – which can be a carrier of the psyllid - have carried the insect from Hawaii to California. To date, the psyllids have been intercepted and destroyed.

Infested plants or plant parts may also unknowingly be transported by homeowners.

With the psyllid’s recent detection in Mexico, there is a real possibility that the psyllid will fly north. Because of its small size, the psyllid can easily get caught in wind, potentially traveling for miles.