Confirmed CLas-positive Asian citrus psyllid found in Hemet, Riverside County

An adult Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample from a residential property in the San Jacinto Valley area of Riverside County has tested positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB). The positive sample was collected as part of the Multi-Pest Risk Survey on a residential property in Hemet and confirmed positive for CLas on July 17 by the Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory. Nymphs were also collected from the property and tested negative for CLas. This is the first confirmed CLas-positive adult ACP found in the San Jacinto Valley area.

An HLB quarantine zone will not be established as a result of this CLas-positive ACP detection. However, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) staff are swiftly conducting surveys and collecting samples from the property and all HLB host plants that are located within a 250-meter radius around the find, per the ACP/HLB Action Plan.

It is more crucial than ever that populations of the ACP continue to be controlled properly in order to stop the HLB from spreading.

While CDFA is not a requiring mandatory treatment for area commercial growers as a result of the CLas-positive ACP detection, Riverside County commercial growers who wish to take proactive steps to protect their groves or who have additional questions can contact Riverside County Grower Liaison Sandra Zwaal.