The Bakersfield Californian today ran a story raising concerns about the recent introduction into California of the Asian citrus psyllid, a pest which can transmit the devastating citrus greening disease. In Kern County, citrus was the agricultural commodity with the third highest value in 2007, more than $450 million, according to the county's crop report. Citrus ranked fifth in 2006.
"This could cause catastrophic losses,” the paper quoted Craig Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension citrus farm advisor for Kern County. “The insect isn’t in Kern County yet, but it travels easily and it’s probably just a matter of time.”
The article says that commercial growers are asking homeowners with citrus trees to educate themselves about the insect and keep an eye out for signs of both the pest and the disease it often carries.
Flyers and identification cards about Asian citrus psyllid and citrus greening disease in English, Spanish and Chinese are available for free download from the Citrus Clonal Protection Program at UC Riverside.
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