May 23,2014
In the first find of Asian citrus psyllids in 2014, three of the dreaded citrus pests were discovered in recent days in traps north of Visalia.The tiny pests were trapped near Ben Maddox and Ave 384 – outside the current ACP quarantine zone, says assistant ag commissioner Tom Tucker.
The discovery in sticky yellow traps placed to detect another pest -glassy winged sharpshooters – are a clear sign adult psyllids are expanding their presence in Tulare County. Tucker notes the citrus area around Ivanhoe is outside the boundary of the current zone that includes Exeter and Dinuba but not the large citrus growing region in between.
“Information is still a little sketchy“says Tucker, adding that the samples were just sent off yesterday to a CDFA lab.”We should know more in a few days.”
Citrus scientist Beth Cardwell Grafton told ag reporters this week that if the pest population here builds as it has in southern California, eradication may no longer practical and the need for a management strategy will be clear. Such a program is being worked on, she says.
“The main goal is to slow the spread of psyllid and buy time for the scientists to find a cure,” she told the Packer newspaper this week.
Psyllids can carry hunglongbing, also known as HLB or citrus greening. The bacterial disease, which is harmless to humans, can weaken and even kill citrus trees. In Florida, where the disease is entrenched, it has caused more than $3.6 billion in lost revenue, she said.
Case in point is what has happened to Florida’s grapefruit industry.Florida produced nearly 41 million boxes of grapefruit a decade ago but this year it is expected to produce 16 million.