‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ detected in South Carolina (US)
On 2009-04-02, the presence of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (associated with citrus huanglongbing – EPPO A1 List) was confirmed in a leaf sample from a private property in the City of Charleston (Charleston County), South Carolina (US). The sample had been collected from a mature citrus tree growing near the area where the psyllid vector of the disease, Diaphorina citri, was detected in August 2008 (EPPO RS 2008/160). Studies are currently being done by APHIS to determine the origin of the infected tree, to delimit the extent of the infection, and to set out appropriate regulatory actions in order to prevent any further spread. This is the first report of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in South Carolina. So far, it has only been reported from Florida (in private properties and commercial orchards) and Louisiana (in 1 tree).
The pest status of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' in the USA is officially declared as: Present, only in some areas, and subject to official control to limit its spread in the United States.
Sources
NPPO Phytosanitary Alert System. Official Pest Reports (2009-04-13). USA. Confirmation of citrus greening in Charleston County, South Carolina.