San Luis Obispo County has seen more than 20 detections of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) since January 2018, according to Citrus Insider. The majority of these invasive insects have been found in the backyards of residential properties in the city of Nipomo.
If you haven't yet heard about this insect, Asian citrus psyllids can carry and spread the incurable citrus disease huanglongbing, also called HLB or citrus greening disease. Citrus trees infected with HLB develop mottled leaves and produce misshapen fruit that stays green and tastes bitter. There is currently no treatment for the disease, which usually kills trees within three to five years.
Due to these ACP finds, citrus growers in SLO County are on high alert, but any California resident in any county who has citrus trees in their yards should be as well.
You can help fight the spread of ACP and HLB by inspecting your trees frequently for signs of the psyllid. Watch the following YouTube video for tips on how to identify it.
Citrus trees aren't the only plants ACP feeds on; there are other closely-relate plants that ACP will also attack. Find out if you have any of these plants in your garden or landscape and learn more about the psyllid and disease by reading the Pest Notes: Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing Disease.
Read more about the ACP discovery in San Luis Obispo posted by the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program.
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