Numerous Asian citrus psyllids found in Dinuba

Numerous Asian citrus psyllids were found in east Dinuba and traced to recently planted backyard orange trees, according to reports in The Business Journal in Fresno and The Fresno Bee.

“This is very surprising and very disappointing,” said Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual in Exeter.

This was the third ACP find in Tulare County this year. An Asian citrus psyllid was discovered in Wasco, Kern County, last week.

The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner, CDFA and USDA are conducting an extensive survey and treatment program in response to the new detection of ACP in Dinuba, according to a press release. Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside, wrote in her Citrus Bugs Blog that because all stages of the pest were found around the trees in Dinuba they were likely infested when they were planted.

"This situation points out the need to educate everyone that they must never move plant material from ACP-infested areas that are under quarantine to areas such as the San Joaquin Valley where the pest has not yet established," Grafton-Cardwell wrote.

Yesterday Valley Public Radio broadcast a 5-minute overview of Asian citrus psyllid with comments from Grafton-Cardwell.

"This is not just a commercial problem, but a homeowner problem because 60 percent of Californians have at least one citrus tree in their yard," Grafton-Cardwell said.

California Assemblyman Jim Patterson hosted an Asian citrus psyllid townhall meeting in Fresno in August. At the event, Grafton-Caldwell said it is vital to slow the spread of psyllid to new areas.

Along with conventional pesticide sprays, organic products have been tried to prevent spread of Asian citrus psyllid. However, the usefulness of the methods has come into question.

“We struggle with organics,” Grafton-Caldwell said, regarding organic sprays and powders. “They are short-lived and have to make direct contact with the psyllid. They are only good for hours or days and not for months.”

Information on monitoring for and treating Asian citrus psyllid and the disease it spreads is available online.

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