The discovery in California of around 100 pests in a package from Texas has further emphasised the threat that the state's citrus industry is facing to steer clear of disease.
Sacramento County officials said that a sniffer dog discovered at least 100 nymph and adult Asian citrus psyllids in the package, which was supposed to be holding a piece of machinery but actually contained infested curry leaves, according to the Associated Press.
Asian citrus psyllid can carry huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease, which is devastating to citrus trees and fruit.
The latest find follows last week's news from the California Department of Agriculture that a new discovery of Asian citrus psyllids had been made in Santa Ana, Orange County.
In a bid to eradicate future threats, a new television commercial backed by the United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA) debuted in the US in August with the aim ofwarning people about the threat of pests to California's agriculturalindustry.
Using the tagline 'They're here, and they're hungry', the federalgovernment is hoping that the advert will make people think twice aboutbreaking quarantine laws by bringing seemingly harmless fruit andvegetables into the state.
No comments yet