The area where the trap find was made has three citrus groves, so agricultural officials are working with the other growers in the area to inform them of the find and work to find treatment options so they can move their fruit.

The bulk of San Luis Obispo County’s commercial citrus, which is in the Nipomo area, is not under quarantine at this time because of where this and previous finds were made. Other finds in the county have been made in the cities of Cayucos (northern county), San Luis Obispo (central part of the county) and in Arroyo Grande (southern portion).

According to the 2014 crop report, San Luis Obispo County has about 250 acres of Valencia oranges and over 1,600 acres of lemons growing in the county.

Officials warn growers and homeowners to inspect their citrus trees for signs of the ACP, particularly as trees are developing new flush, which is particularly attractive to the ACP. The pest will feed and lay its eggs in this new flush or growth on the trees.

As small as the pests are it takes a trained eye and a hand lens to inspect for the pest, particularly for evidence of nymphs that have not hatched.

The ACP can vector a disease called Huanglongbing (HLB), which is deadly to citrus trees. One confirmed case of HLB was reported in suburban Los Angeles in 2012. The disease is present in Mexico and is widespread in Florida. Information on the disease and its symptoms can be found online.

Commercial citrus growers considering pesticide treatments in their groves are urged to consider including ACP-active materials in upcoming grove treatments. University of California pest management guidelines, including a list of broad-spectrum foliar insecticides for the ACP are available online.

As of July 1 the use of Chlorpyrifos is labeled “restricted-use” by the California Department of Pesticide Regulations. It is also included in separate regulations pertaining to the use of low-VOC compounds in the San Joaquin Valley. Be sure to consult all label instructions before using this product.