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Citrus Quarantine Updates
Citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri) is a bacterium that causes lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit of citrus plants. Lesions have raised, brown, water-soaked margins, usually with a yellow halo. It spreads by wind-driven rain (storms) and on infected equipment. Citrus canker causes leaves and fruit to drop prematurely; infected fruit has an unattractive appearance but is safe to eat. The following parishes are quarantined for Citrus Canker: Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, and a portion of St. Martin parish.
Citrus greening (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is a bacterial disease of citrus that is spread through grafting and is transmitted by a tiny insect called an Asian Citrus Psyllid. Citrus Greening does not spread through rain or equipment. The disease was first found in Florida in 2005; in 2008, it also was found at limited sites in Louisiana. Symptoms include leaf mottling that often ignores the leaf veins. New leaves may show symptoms resembling zinc deficiency; older leaves have green, asymmetrical mottling. Other symptoms are yellow shoots, twig die-back, poor flowering, and stunting. Fruit is inedible (sour), small, poorly colored, and/or lopsided. The following parishes are quarantined for Citrus Greening: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, and Washington.
Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) is a small insect resembling a tiny cicada that feeds on the sap of citrus and related species, including orange jasmine. It is a known vector that transmits citrus greening disease. ACP eggs are laid on flush growth citrus leaves; there are five nymphal stages that feed on the plant sap and remain fairly stationary; adults are very small (~3mm, 1/8”) and can jump and fly but tend to move only short distances (1/4 mile) and may live two months or more. The real concern regarding Asian Citrus Psyllid is the citrus greening disease the insect transmits. The following parishes are quarantined for Asian Citrus Psyllid: Jefferson, Orleans, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Terrebonne.
Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine Map
Labeling Requirement
In order to reduce the risk of citrus nursery stock being moved from a quarantined area, the LDAF has added a new labeling regulation. Any citrus nursery stock that is sold or moved into a parish that is quarantined must have a label attached to the plant or container with the following statement: PROHIBITED FROM MOVEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE CITRUS QUARANTINE AREAS Penalty for Violation, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. (The labeling requirement is only for the Citrus Canker and Citrus Greening Quarantines. It is not required for the Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine.) A picture of the label is below. To avoid confusion with the citrus quarantines, a good rule thumb is to purchase citrus nursery stock from the parish in which you plan to grow it.
