Dangerous citrus pest is resurfacing
Photo: Image by GNU Image
Web Producer: Jessica Canchola
Tucson (KGUN9-TV)- An insect no bigger than a grain of rise is threatening to destroy homeowner's citrus trees.
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) has become a threat due to carrying citrus greening disease, known as Huanglongbing (HLB). This disease is known to be the most devastating to citrus trees and there is no cure.
This year, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of detections in western Arizona, such as Yuma County and Lake Havasu City.
In Oct. 2009, ACP was first detected in San Luis, AZ in Yuma County. Control measures were quickly taken to action by the Arizona Department of Agriculture to halt the spread and maintain a state-wide trapping program.
The department is requesting assistance from the public in controlling the spread of ACP by purchasing only inspected certified citrus nursery stock for home planting. They strongly state to not ship your personal citrus plants without certification from a State regulatory official.
For more information on Arizona’s quarantine and ACP work, please visit: http://www.azda.gov/psd/acp.