San Diego County neighborhoods to be treated for Asian citrus psyllid

State officials will spray pesticide on residential citrus trees near Fallbrook today (Dec. 17), part of an ongoing effort across Southern California to prevent a devastating citrus disease, reported the San Diego Union Tribune.The pesticide application targets Asian citrus psyllid, which can transmit huanglongbing disease.

Residents in the area have been notified, said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He said officials have used the same preventive approach in San Diego County since 2008, when the pest was first discovered locally.

Union Tribune reporter Chris Nichols added information in the article from UC's Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease website.

"The Asian citrus psyllid is a brown insect about the size of an aphid. It attacks new citrus leaf growth and causes the new leaf tips to twist or burn back. Most concerning, it can spread bacteria that cause a citrus-greening disease known as Huanglongbing or HLB, according to a description on the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources website," the reporter wrote.