Five Asian citrus psyllids have been detected in traps in Santa Ana, California, in Orange County. This is the first time the pest has been trapped north of San Diego and Imperial counties.

The detections will trigger a quarantine. Until it can be established, CDFA will restrict movement of regulated plant material, including host plants, at wholesale and retail nurseries within five miles of the find site. Additionally, CDFA is planning a treatment program and is trapping and surveying in the area to attempt to detect additional psyllids.

“The Asian citrus psyllid is a dangerous pest of citrus,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “We must move quickly to identify the full extent of the problem and do all we can to protect our state’s citrus industry.”

The pest is of grave concern because it can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB). All citrus and closely related species are susceptible hosts for both the insect and the disease. There is no cure once a tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will decline in health until it dies. HLB has not been detected on trees in California.

The state of Florida first detected the pest in 1998 and the disease in 2005, and the two have now been detected in all 30 citrus producing counties in that state. The pest and the disease are also present in Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina. The states of Texas, Mississippi and Alabama have detected the pest but not the disease.

For more information on the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease, visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/acp

To increase public awareness, the USDA has established a new citrus greening website. The address is www.saveourcitrus.org

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that the Office of Management and Budget has extended its approval of Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to August 31, 2012. Accordingly, the USCIS has amended the form to reflect a new revision date of August 7, 2009.

According to the USCIS Web site, employers may use the Form I-9 with the revision date of August 7, 2009 and may also continue to use the form with a revision date of February 2, 2009. The revision dates are located on the bottom right-hand portion of the form. The new form or the one dated 2/2/2009 should be completed for all new hires.

A copy of the current Form I-9 is available at http://www.uscis.gov/i-9.