A citrus disease that has killed millions of citrus trees across Florida and Brazil has been detected in California, despite the industry's best efforts to keep it at bay.

Individual protective covers shield young orange trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, which cause citrus greening disease, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Sebring, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)© The ...

Individual protective covers shield young orange trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, which cause citrus greening disease, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Sebring, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)© The ...

In 2022, citrus inventory stood at 375,000 acres of orange and grapefruit trees statewide, less than half of the 800,000 acres in 1996. The value of the orange crop in Florida is in free fall.

Citrus trees infected by citrus greening often have the Asian citrus psyllid. The adult insect is small (about 3 mm or ⅛ inch) with a distinctive 45-degree angled posture when present on leaves.

The impact of Hurricanes Irma in 2017,Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 on trees already weakened from years of citrus greening disease “has led Alico to conclude that growing citrus is no longer ...

People with home citrus trees can also keep an eye on their plants for psyllids and HLB symptoms. Guides with tips for identifying the disease and psyllids are available at cdfa.ca.gov.

The state detected the tree-killing bacterial disease during routine inspections. It is a major threat to San Diego County's $138 million annual citrus crop.

Hit by storms and disease, Florida’s citrus growers try to survive until bug-free trees arrive By: Mike Schneider, The Associated Press Posted: 11:16 PM CDT Thursday, Mar. 13, 2025 Last Modified ...