Current Insect and Disease Quarantines in Santa Clara County

Current quarantine: Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)

Asian citrus psyllid

County-wide quarantine on citrus fruits, leaves, and trees; also Indian curry leaf and other hosts

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) has been detected in Santa Clara County as well as other parts of California. This insect pest can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB) that is devastating for all citrus trees. Efforts are focused on slowing the spread of this insect as much as possible. The disease has not yet been found in Northern California but has been detected in Southern California and other parts of the country. Much of California, including Santa Clara County, is under quarantine for the ACP insect. 

Indian curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) can also host this insect, so it's included in the quarantine as well. See a list of all possible hosts.

The UC IPM Quick Tips on the Asian Citrus Psyllid explains the relationship between the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and the HLB disease, how to recognize the different stages of the ACP insect how the HLB disease affects citrus and the many ways that the insect can accidentally be transported into California. See also Residental ACP Management Strategy for more details and photos.

If you think your tree has HLB or if you find the Asian citrus psyllid, call the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Exotic Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899 to confirm a find.

What the Asian citrus psyllid quarantine means

Clean fruits can be moved out of the quarantine zone

Homegrown citrus fruit totaling less than 25 pounds and that is clean of all stem and leaf material can be moved out of the quarantine area. Washing the fruit is a good extra precaution to take.

Plants and fruit can be moved within the quarantine zone

Plant material (whole plants, leaves) from backyard citrus or curry leaf plants may be transported within the quarantine area.

Plants can NOT be moved out of the quarantine zone

Plant material other than fruit (whole plants, leaves) from backyard citrus or curry leaf plants can NOT be transported out of the area. However, it CAN be put into local green waste collection.

 

Last updated: May 2024