Dangerous Citrus Pest Again Found on the Peninsula

Brownish adult, yellow nymphs, and white wax of Asian citrus psyllids. Photo by Michael E. Rogers, University of Florida.

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By Bay City News Service:

The San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner and the California Department of Food and Agriculture on Monday announced that a potential carrier of a plant disease that kills citrus trees was found in Pacifica.

This is the second local detection of this pest, the Asian citrus psyllid, after its presence in Daly City was confirmed on Oct. 28.

This time, the pest was found on Gateway Drive in Pacifica.

County officials said the additional discovery will result in an expansion of the treatment portion of a program that responded to the initial Daly City find. The treatment areas around the find sites will now be widened from 100 meters to 400 meters, and the amount of properties with citrus trees that will require treatment will also be increased.

The Asian citrus psyllid is not itself harmful to citrus trees, county officials explained, but it can introduce and spread a deadly plant disease known as Huanglongbing. The disease is not harmful to humans or animals.

A diseased tree will decline in health and produce bitter, misshapen fruit until it dies, county officials said.

Residents who believe their tree is displaying symptoms of this disease or has the Asian citrus psyllid is asked to call the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner’s office at (650) 363-4700.