Citrus In Peril Across Southern California, How To Identify HLB

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange trees are part of many Californian's lives. The southland is a leading provider of fresh citrus fruit, such as oranges, mandarins, and lemons. However, many trees are succumbing to a deadly disease caused by a tiny insect no larger than a grain of rice.

In Orange County and across California, Huanglongbing or HLB is spreading in citrus bearing trees through the tiny Asian citrus psyllid.

Though the disease is not dangerous to humans, the psyllid-borne sickness kills citrus trees without mercy. The pest feeds on leaves and fruit of all sorts of citrus trees and, in turn, infects the tree.

Other names for the sickness are yellow dragon disease, due to the symptoms of entire shoots turning yellow, or the greening disease, as the fruits never ripen after infected. You may have noticed signs of the disease in your backyard, a spokesperson for OC Waste & Recycling said.

Until researchers find a solution, California homeowners who enjoy growing fresh citrus fruit in their yards, and California farmers tending to $2.5 billion worth of citrus fruit trees must work together to protect their trees.

A biological control may help reduce the spread of the pest, according to authorities. While not a "silver bullet," the stingless wasp, Tamarixia, may help in controlling the spread and curbing populations of the dangerous pest.

The use of Tamarixia in California is a cooperative effort of the University of California Riverside, Citrus Research Board, United States Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Follow these steps while tending to your citrus tree:

• Inspect your tree for the Asian citrus psyllid. The pest is most noticeable when new leaves are growing on the tips of the branches.
  • 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.

Learn about inspecting your backyard citrus and reporting pest and disease symptoms visit www.californiacitrusthreat.org.

If you think you have spotted the pest or disease, call the free statewide pest hotline at 800-491-1899.