Your back yard could harbor a deadly threat to the California citrus industry (photo credit/Cindy Cotter)
If you’ve got an orange or lemon tree in your yard, then you are part of California’s first line of defense against a plant disease that threatens not only your tree but the entire state’s citrus industry.
The disease, citrus greening, is spread by a small insect known as the Asian citrus psyllid. Psyllids that have not been infected by the disease are a minor pest, but if a psyllid feeds on an infected tree, it will carry citrus greening disease to other trees. The fruit of an infected tree is ruined and the tree itself eventually dies. Until then, it acts like a reservoir of disease, infecting other psyllids and, through them, other trees.
Citrus greening has devastated the citrus industry in Florida and has spread to other states in the citrus belt. The first psyllids in Orange County were found in Santa Ana last week. They were disease free. Monday the first Los Angeles County psyllid was discovered in Echo Park. It’s being tested for the citrus greening. In both cases, the insects were found in private homes, not commercial orchards. That’s typical, and it’s why homeowners should be alert for this pest.
Information for homeowners: Citrus Research Board
Los Angeles Times, Aug. 25: Psyllids found in Orange County
Los Angeles Times, Aug 27: Psyllid found in L.A.
– Cindy Cotter
