Asian citrus psyllid
The Asian citrus psyllid is not present in the ACT or anywhere on mainland Australia.
About the pest
Asian citrus psyllid is an exotic sap-sucking pest of wild and cultivated plants in the citrus family.
Why they are a problem
Feeding by the pest:
- stunts the growth of young plants by stopping shoot growth and causing leaf deformation
- causes blossom and fruit drop (when the population of psyllid is high)
- can cause black sooty mould to develop from excess honeydew excreted by the psyllid whilst feeding
- can transmit Huanglongbing (HLB, formerly known as citrus greening), a bacterial disease that makes fruit taste bitter and will eventually kill the tree.
What to look for
- Adults and nymphs are found on young leaves and shoots of citrus plants.
- Adults feed on the underside of young leaves with their head down and the rest of their body raised in the air at a 45-degree angle.
- Nymphs are flat and oval shaped, yellow-orange in colour with bright red eyes.
How it spreads
The Asian citrus psyllid spreads primarily through the movement of infested plant material and natural flight of the insects.
Report sightings
Report any suspected sightings to:
- Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
- ACT Biosecurity at ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au
- Access Canberra on 13 22 81.