Public Meeting in Banning About Insect that Can Spread Citrus-Killing Disease

A meeting is secheduled Tuesday in Banning to discuss detection of an insect that can spread a citrus-killing disease in Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon.

A pdf copy of a state map that show eight detection sites in the San Gorgonio Pass is attached to this report.

In the map's legend of terms, "detection site" is defined a spot where the Asian Citrus Psyllid has "already been detected," Steve Lyle of the California Department of Food and Agriculture said last week.

The department also last week announced to eradicate the pest in the San Gorgonio Pass.

The is scheduled 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 31 in Banning City Council Chambers, 99 E. Ramsey St., "to discuss the upcoming program in your area," Lyle said.

The insect known as Asian Citrus Psyllid can transmit the disease Huanglongbing, "the most devastating disease to citrus in the world," when it feeds on the plants’ leaves and stems, according the Food and Agriculture Department.

"Symptoms of HLB include yellow shoots, small upright leaves, fruit that does not fully color and lopsided fruit with bitter flavor," the department advised.

The psyllid was detected Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 in Banning and Cabazon, according to a state proclamation dated Jan. 20.

In addition, the insect "has been detected in many areas in Southern California – Riverside, Imperial, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, primarily," Lyle of the Food and Agriculture Depargment said Tuesday.

"CDFA is working to control the spread of the pest to the greatest degree possible so that when HLB is introduced - and it’s when, not if - there is the best chance to limit damage to citrus. HLB is fatal to citrus trees," Lyle said.

There is no cure, Lyle said.

"The threat is real and profound – not just to commercial citrus  but to the many, many residential citrus trees in California," Lyle said.

State Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Hemet, sent out an advisory last week about the insect and expansion of the emergency program.

"As the top citrus-producing state in the nation, California's citrus industry has a $1.8 billion impact on our state’s economy," Emmerson said.  "It's crucial that we act immediately to protect Riverside County from the devastating effect of this pest on our local economy as well as our environment."

Emmerson's staff released the pdf map of eight detection sites in Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon. The map also includes detection program boundaries, ground treatment areas, and "sensitive environmental areas" with treatment mitigations in place.

For more information about the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the disease Huanglongbing, visit the Department of Food and Agriculture's ACP site.