Official Pest Report
Official Pest Reports are provided by National Plant Protection Organizations within the NAPPO region. These Pest Reports are intended to comply with the International Plant Protection Convention's Standard on Pest Reporting, endorsed by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures in March 2002.
Status of Huanglongbing or Citrus Greening ('Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus') in the United States
Status of Huanglongbing or Citrus Greening ('Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus') in the United States
Country: United States
Title: Status of Huanglongbing or Citrus Greening ('Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus') in the United States
Contact:
Patrick Gomes, National Coordinator, Citrus Health Response Program, Office phone: 919.855.7313
Report:
In September 2005, Huanglongbing or Citrus Greening ('Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus') was found to be present in both urban areas and commercial citrus groves within the State of Florida. The presence of this pathogen was confirmed by USDA using real time-PCR analysis. Subsequent surveys within the State of Florida revealed that the disease was well established, but limited in distribution only to that State. As a result, USDA imposed phytosanitary measures by issuing Federal Domestic Quarantine Orders that restrict interstate movement of host plants and plant parts including seeds (except fruit) from leaving that State. On-going pest surveys in other citrus-producing areas of the United States show that the disease has not spread outside of the State of Florida. Surveys include a thorough examination of host plants from residential properties, commercial and noncommercial citrus plantings, and nurseries. Samples are routinely submitted to Federally-approved laboratories for testing using molecular diagnostics specific to detection of this disease.
Under IPPC standards, 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' is considered a pest that is present, only in some areas (localized in Florida) of the United States and under official control for the purpose of containment of the pest.
Posted Date: May 6, 2008, 9 a.m.