The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is a small insect, smaller than aphids, and capable of wiping out our 26,000 acres of commercial citrus. We are also in danger of losing all out backyard citrus trees as well, and there are more of those home trees than in commercial production.
This tiny insect, and the disease it carries, have cost Florida half its citrus acreage in just 5 years. The disease has yet to reach us, but the insect is at our door, and it may be here on the next east wind.
Without the public’s help and careful observation, we can all say good bye to orange juice. And lemons. And I hope you like your beer without lime…
Here is Dr. De Soto’s message to us delivered during our EarthDay Camarillo celebration. I apologize in advance for the sound and picture quality.
(NOTE: If this video is slow to load, try the lighter version below)
For more information on the ACP, please visit the Ventura County Master Gardener’s website.
Here is a video showing how to identify this pest. UC citrus entomologist Beth Grafton-Cardwell, Ph.D., explains how to monitor citrus trees for Asian citrus psyllid. Suspected infestations of Asian citrus psyllid should be reported immediately by calling the county agriculture commissioner or the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.
This movie, “Excluding a Bad Citrus Pest“, shows the effects in Florida and warns of the effect we will suffer if the pest is established.
