1. No More Backyard Citrus?
Presented by: Mark Olson Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program
M. Rogers

2. California Citrus Value
Our citrus industry is worth $2 Billion.
Citrus industry submits taxes in excess of $500 million annually.
Millions of Californians have citrus trees in their backyards.
More backyard citrus exists than the amount of citrus in commercial groves in California.
Bullet 1: That’s more than the profits of Allstate Insurance, Amazon, and even Starbucks.
Bullet 4: Our state government also relies on citrus for a significant amount of revenue.
M. Rogers

3. The Pest
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (pronounced sil – lid) was originally found in Asia and has made its way to the United States.
This insect is about the size of the tip of a pen, or a grain of rice.
Eggs – yellow – very small
Nymphs – juveniles
Adults – can fly, and pose the greatest risk for jumping from one plant to another
M. Rogers

4. The Disease Huanglongbing (HLB)
Also known as “citrus greening disease”
Not harmful to humans or pets
No cure
A death sentence for California citrus trees
Destroys production, appearance, taste and economic value.
Florida is losing 5-10 percent of crops per year ($300 million annually).
M. Rogers

5. Psyllid in Southern California
Nearly 8,000 detections of the ACP thru October 2011 in Mexico and California.
In 2009, officials recorded 1,900 psyllid finds.
In 2010, officials recorded nearly 3,300 psyllid finds.
How many in 2011?
M. Rogers

6. Call to Action for Homeowners
Inspect monthly or whenever watering.
Look in the new shoots.
We need your help. With 7 out of 10 homeowners having a citrus tree in their backyards, we need the help of area residents.

7. If You Find It Call CA Food and Agriculture Hotline 1-800-491-1899
Take a photograph
Include something to compare size
Citrus trees within 400 meters may be treated if the psyllid is found

8. Treatment
Two types of insecticides are used within a week on the citrus trees.
Tempo – used indoor and outdoor for common pests
Merit – used also as flea treatment for dogs and cats (Advantage)
Mail notification
Door-to-door inspection
Favorable results – very cooperative homeowners
More than 70,000 backyard trees have been treated.
First off, there are no flying black helicopters spraying unknown pesticides over entire communities.

9. Saving California Citrus
Riverside Diagnostic Laboratory
Studying other insects to combat the psyllid
Public can help by checking their trees and reporting suspicious bugs
Talk to neighbors and family members
Stay informed – follow us on Facebook and Twitter:
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Like I said before, there are a lot of entities spending considerable resources suppressing the ACP.
The CPDPP has a laboratory in Riverside that is testing thousands of psyllids and plant materials each week.
The University of Riverside is doing a pilot study about a wasp that is the natural enemy of the psyllid.
But, really, defense starts at the home. We need residents to check their trees – at least monthly for the ACP.
Stay informed. We have the latest information about

10. A Bright Future