Pest Hotline: 1-800-491-1899
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a pest that acts as a carrier or vector spreading "huanglongbing" (HLB), a devastating disease of citrus trees. This bacterial disease is transmitted to healthy trees by the psyllid after it feeds on infected plant tissue.
Symptoms of Huanglongbing
(Photo Credit: CDFA-Florida Trip, Dec 2008)
Symptoms of Huanglongbing
(Photo Credit: CDFA-Florida Trip, Dec 2008)
Symptoms of Huanglongbing
(Photo Credit: CDFA-Florida Trip, Dec 2008)
Damage Citrus
(Photo Credit: CDFA-Florida Trip, Dec 2008)
Leaf mottle on grapefruit, a characteristic symptom caused by Huanglongbing
(Photo Credit: J.M. Bove, Inra Centre de Recherches, Bugwood.org)
Symptoms of Huanglongbing on sweet orange
(Photo Credit: J.M. Bove Inra Centre de Recherches, Bugwood.org)
Symptoms of Huanglongbing on sweet orange
(Photo Credit: H.D. Catlin, Bugwood.org)
Asian Citrus Psyllid on plant with ruler for scale
(Photo Credit: Natalie Hummel, Louisiana State University AG Center, United States, Bugwood.org)
Asian citrus phyllid
(Photo Credit: Jeffrey W. Lotz, Florida Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org)
Adult Asian Citrus psyllid - a closer look
(Photo Credit: David Hall, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)
Adult Asian Citrus psyllid
(Photo Credit: David Hall, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)
Adult Asian Citrus psyllid
(Photo Credit: David Hall, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)
This website has been designed to help answer questions about ACP and HLB and the threat to all California citrus growers both in commercial and backyard settings.
All citrus and closely-related species are susceptible hosts for both the ACP insect and the HLB disease. There is no cure once a tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will decline in health and eventually die.
It is important to stress that CDFA conducts field surveys for ACP and other pests statewide. Recent detections of ACP in Tijuana, Mexico, reemphasize the importance of increased surveillance for ACP in neighboring San Diego County.
Survey methods for ACP include visual inspections of citrus trees by CDFA and county field inspectors, "sweep netting" for insects, and the placement of yellow panel "sticky traps" in host trees and shrubs in citrus nurseries, commercial citrus-producing areas and residential properties throughout the state. Additionally, sticky traps are placed at California fruit packing houses, specialty markets, retail stores and airports that receive such produce from areas known to be infested with ACP.
CDFA and county agricultural commissioners have educational posters and pamphlets on ACP and HLB. CDFA partners with the USDA, the University of California, California citrus associations and other stakeholders on outreach and research efforts against this insect and the disease it spreads.
Contact the CDFA Toll-Free Pest Hotline (1-800-491-1899) to report suspicious insects or disease symptoms in your citrus trees. Help us protect California agriculture from invading pests and diseases.
