Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera Psyllidae) and Citrus Greening Disease in Louisiana

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was detected in Orleans Parish, LA in May 2008 Soon after detection the tree upon which the Asian citrus psyllid had been found tested positive for citrus greening (or huanglongbing) In response to these detections, personnel from the Louisiana State University AgCenter worked with representatives of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and USDA-APHIS-PPQ to respond to the situation Pest control recommendations were developed for nursery, commercial and backyard citrus production This information was distributed to stakeholders via traditional extension channels (publications, media, Internet sites, and in-person presentations) County field faculty worked with inspectors to identify locations to survey The efforts culminated in the implementation of an area-wide management approach in Plaquemines Parish, the largest citrus-producing region of Louisiana To date, huanglongbing has not been detected in Plaquemines Parish and Asian citrus psyllid has been suppressed by carefully timed applications of insecticide We continue to work with USDA-APHIS-PPQ and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to monitor the situation