Populations of Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) have been found in residential and commercial citrus in Georgia’s Lowndes and Wayne counties during the past two months. ACP spread huanglongbing (HLB) disease. In several places where ACP were found, HLB-infected trees were identified nearby. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) entomologist Apurba Barman provided details about the …
Florida Residents Educated About HLB
Residential trees — where citrus greening disease (also known as huanglongbing or HLB) was first detected in the Florida — can serve as reservoirs for disease-spreading Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) if the pests are not properly managed. Recognizing that disease prevention is a coordinated effort, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is teaching Florida residents …
Citrus Greening Quarantines Expanded in California
Federal and state agriculture officials recently expanded the areas quarantined for citrus greening disease in California. They expanded the quarantined area in the Coto de Caza area of Orange County by 11 square miles, the Rancho Santa Margarita area of Orange County by 93 square miles, the Perris area of Riverside County by 37 square miles, and the Rancho Cucamonga …
Biological Control: A Significant Component of Citrus IPM
By Jawwad A. Qureshi All citrus pests in Florida have natural enemies, although some are more effective at biological control than others. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have been studying the activity and impact of natural enemies on pest infestations in traditional open production systems and protected systems such as citrus under protective screen …
Argentine Ant Management Innovations
Native to South America, Argentine ants were introduced to California in 1905. Today, 90% of Southern California and coastal orchards are infested with ants. Some trees experience up to 1 million ant visits per day. Ivan Milosavljević, Citrus Research Board (CRB) entomologist, presented that information in a June 17 webinar that was part of CRB’s Grower Seminar Series. His presentation …
Advice on Asian Citrus Psyllid Management
The strategies to control the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in Florida have evolved over the years. Some practices have come and gone, but one point remains — ACP control is essential. That was the message Lukasz Stelinski made during the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Stelinski, an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food …
OTC Impacts on HLB in Trees and Psyllids
During the recent Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference, Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, presented evaluations of trunk-injected antimicrobials for HLB management. She said the purpose of these antimicrobial treatments is a short-term or stop-gap approach to keep the current inventory of Florida citrus trees in the …
All In For Citrus Podcast, June 2025
In the June All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers gives an update on some of the activities keeping University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers busy this summer. Rogers is the director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. One of their big projects is helping to coordinate the citrus seminars …
Nearly $23 Million Awarded for HLB Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) announced May 28 it has invested nearly $23 million in 14 HLB projects in 2025. The projects seek to find solutions to combat and prevent HLB in citrus. The projects are part of the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program. The University of Florida is the only …
Georgia Student Honored for HLB Research
Carlton Collins recently was named top master’s researcher in the E. Broadus Browne Research Awards for Outstanding Graduate Student Research competition at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was recognized for his research on huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening. Collins, born in Jamaica, was introduced to citrus production on a small …
CUPS: Pest Monitoring and Management
By Jawwad A. Qureshi Several insect pests and mites colonize citrus crops in traditional open orchards. Most pests are localized and are suppressed by predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens to levels that are not economically damaging to the crops. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the primary vector of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Despite biological and chemical control of ACP, growing a …
HLB Quarantine Expands in California
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) declared a citrus quarantine expansion in San Diego County’s Valley Center on March 26. The expansion occurred after detection of HLB disease in two citrus trees in residential neighborhoods in the Valley Center area during regular inspections. HLB is a major threat to San Diego County’s $144 million annual citrus crop …
Citrus Field Day Highlights Research
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee hosted a citrus field day on April 10. The event showcased the research being conducted at the center. One of the tour stops featured individual protective cover (IPC) research led by Fernando Alferez, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture. Thanks in …
Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute Included Interactive Element
Growers gathered in Avon Park for the annual Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute at South Florida Community College in early April. Scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) presented updates on their work and the latest efforts to help in the fight against HLB. New this year, the scientists also hosted learning stations to further …
CUPS Benefits Go Beyond Psyllid Exclusion
Citrus under protective screen (CUPS) offers benefits that go beyond its initial purpose of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) exclusion. Steven Callaham of Dundee Citrus Growers Association discussed the advantages and sustainability of this form of citrus production. Rapid tree growth is a major benefit, according to Callaham. “It has been documented that trees inside of CUPS grow about 2.5 times …
Scout to Stay Ahead of Pest Populations
It is much better for Florida citrus growers to be proactive than reactive when managing pest populations. Scouting and monitoring citrus groves is crucial for growers who hope to thwart off impacts from insects like the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). If growers are not successful, they will be behind the eight ball in minimizing the impact of these annual pests. …
HLB Quarantine Area Expanded in California Again
Federal and state officials have expanded the quarantine for huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening disease) in the Mission Viejo area of California’s Orange County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, expanded the quarantine by 13.16 square miles. The expansion was in response …
Now Is the Time to Knock Back Psyllid Populations
Now is the time for Florida citrus growers to implement management tactics to control the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the insect that vectors citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB). ACPs are currently in low populations across Florida’s citrus-producing region. That means growers should act now to protect their crop from the insect’s impact, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida …
HLB Confirmed in Arizona for First Time
HLB was recently confirmed for the first time in Arizona, first in an Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and then in another ACP and citrus plant tissue. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) reported the details. On Dec. 16, 2024, agriculture inspectors collected ACP and plant tissue samples from a residential citrus tree in Nogales. The collections were made during a …
California’s Citrus Showcase Set for March 12
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is inviting growers and allied agricultural industry members to the 2025 Citrus Showcase March 12 at the Visalia Convention Center in Visalia, California. The event will feature informational seminars, free continuing education unit-approved courses, a trade show and an industry luncheon. The event’s morning session will feature Marisa Zansler, director of economic and market research at …