Asian citrus psyllid
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From the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries:
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will be conducting a citrus survey in Mobile County, June 7-10 and Baldwin County, June 20-24. Plant Protection Inspectors with their ADAI credentials and safety vests will be driving vehicles with State of Alabama signage as they conduct the surveys.
Inspectors will be checking citrus trees in neighborhoods for the Asian citrus psyllid, an insect that transmits a serious citrus disease. Inspectors will not enter backyards without the homeowner’s permission.
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a known vector of citrus greening disease, also called Huanglongbing (HLB). The Asian citrus psyllid is present in both Mobile and Baldwin counties. If psyllids are found in nurseries or residences, the insects will be tested for citrus greening.
Officials ask for the public’s help in locating citrus plants. It is vital to collect and test Asian citrus psyllid to determine if citrus greening disease is present in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Alabama is the only citrus-growing state that has not yet detected citrus greening disease, and these surveys help ADAI better prevent the entry and spread of this and other citrus diseases.
For more information about citrus health, visit the USDA website www.SaveOurCitrus.org.
Contact Brittaney Allen, Alabama Department of Agriculture Survey Coordinator at Brittaney.Allen@agi.alabama.gov with any questions concerning the survey.