New Traps Cut Off Citrus Greening Pests from Hiding Places

Adult Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, carries the bacterium thought to be the causal agent of Huanglongbing in its salivary glands. As it feeds on citrus leaves, the psyllid transmits the bacterium to the tree. The result is yellowed leaves, bitter fruit, and eventual tree death. Researchers across the nation are struggling to end the scourge of citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing. The disease renders citrus fruit inedible and eventually kills entire orchards. In Florida alone, from 2012?2016 the disease caused production losses of $4.4 billion and eliminated about 7,900 jobs.