The insect is the vector of a bacterium, which causes a citrus disease known as HLB. The disease is more widespread in Indian and African citrus-growing areas, but has not entered Spain before.
The initial symptoms of the condition are yellow sprouts or branches on trees ,which in serious cases can lose trees to lose their leaves and even their branches.
Fruit from affected trees is usually small, misshapen and lacking in colour with green patches.
Unio-Coag is calling on the Spanish authorities to improve inspection systems for arrival of plant material from third countries or face devastating socio-economic consequences if pests take hold in the country's main citrus-growing areas.
The agriculture department of the regional executive in the Canary Islands has already declared that HLB has been found on the islands of Gomera and Tenerife. Now members of Unio-Coag have emphasised that trade between plant producers and nursery owners on the islands with customers in other citrus producing areas should be avoided.
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