The Californian citrus industry is on high alert after an Asian citrus psyllid infestation was discovered in Tijuana in Mexico, 3km from the border.
The insect can carry the bacterial disease ‘citrus greening’, or Huanglongbing, which prevents proper colouring in the fruit, making them bitter and stunted, reducing yields and possibly killing the trees in a matter of years.
The pest, from Asia originally, is established in the Caribbean islands, central Mexico, Texas and Florida, according to researchers at the University of California, and reports suggest it recently been identified in Louisiana and New Orleans.
California is one of the world’s leading suppliers of citrus, and produces almost 3m tonnes every year.
The Californian Department of Food and Agriculture is increasing efforts to stop the pest’s advance, and to date no Asian citrus psyllids have been found in the state.
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