Asian Citrus Psyllid

📐 FIELD GUIDE ILLUSTRATION

Asian Cockroach (Blattella asahinai) identification illustration with labeled anatomical features — PestControlBasics.com

Original illustration by PestControlBasics.com. Use anatomical labels above to confirm your identification.

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PestControlBasics Editorial Team

Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

🔍 Identification

Adults: 3-4mm; mottled brown; hold wings tent-like at 45° angle when at rest (diagnostic); waxy white tubular deposits on new growth (nymph feeding). Nymphs: yellow-green; found on new citrus shoots; surrounded by white waxy filaments. Feeding: on new growth (flush) only — the pest depends on citrus flushing (new growth episodes).

🧬 Biology & Behavior

Asian citrus psyllid vectors Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus — the bacterium causing citrus greening (HLB). Once a tree is infected, the disease progresses inexorably — no cure exists. Infected trees produce bitter, misshapen fruit (greening pattern), eventually declining and dying. Florida has lost over 90% of its commercial citrus since HLB arrived in 2005. California detected ACP in 2008 and HLB in 2012 — aggressive quarantine programs have slowed but not stopped spread.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Citrus greening (HLB) — no cure; fatal to all citrus species; severe economic losses to commercial citrus; loss of backyard citrus trees.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Report any suspected psyllid sightings to USDA APHIS or state department of agriculture. Imidacloprid soil drench provides systemic protection that kills psyllids feeding on treated trees. Do not move citrus plants, budwood, or cuttings out of quarantine areas. Thermotherapy (heat treatment) is being researched as a potential HLB cure.

👷 When to Call a Pro

Professional application of systemic insecticides in high-pressure areas. USDA-coordinated biological control with Tamarixia radiata parasitoid wasp.

❓ FAQ

Is citrus greening curable?

As of 2026, there is no registered cure for citrus greening (HLB). Research into thermotherapy (sustained heat treatment) and antimicrobial treatments is ongoing with some promising results, but no commercial solution is currently available. Prevention through psyllid control and not moving plant material out of quarantine zones remains the only management approach.

Should I remove my infected backyard citrus tree?

In heavily infested areas (most of Florida), removing an infected tree is not required but may be recommended to reduce the inoculum source for spread to neighboring trees. In areas with active HLB containment programs (parts of California), removal of infected trees may be required by quarantine regulation. Contact your state department of agriculture for current guidance.

🐛 Asian Citrus Psyllid