An orange tree in an urban neighborhood in Cerritos in Los Angeles County, Calif. has tested positive for the citrus disease Huanglongbing, also called citrus greening.

California Department of Food and Agriculture staff found the HLB-infected tree after an insensitive search survey in an area where Asian citrus psyllids were found that tested positive for the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp.

The psyllid is the primary carrier of the bacteria which causes HLB.

The diseased tree was located across the street from the property where the bacteria-carrying psyllids were detected. PCR testing confirmed the disease. The diseased tree was removed the week of Dec. 19, thanks to the homeowners who proactively granted permission to CDFA staff.

The survey in Cerritos is nearly complete, and mandatory Asian citrus psyllid treatments will begin Jan. 9.

This detection will result in a new HLB quarantine encompassing portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties. A quarantine map will be released shortly.

CDFA recently completed treatments in San Gabriel and is nearing treatment completion in Hacienda Heights, the latter area where the first HLB find in California occurred. Surveys in both areas will continue.