Further spread of Phyllocnistis citrella in United States
As mentioned in the EPPO Reporting Service 94/163, Phyllocnistis citrella has recently been introduced in Florida (1993-05) and despite measures taken, it has now spread to all 39 citrus-producing counties of this State. The citrus leaf miner has also been detected in several citrus orchards in Louisiana (in the following Parishes: Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St Charles, St James the Baptist and Terrebone) and in Texas (Cameron County). Considering the rapid spread of the pest, neither a cooperative eradication program nor a Federal regulation is being considered.
In addition, P. citrella appears to be spreading at an alarming rate throughout Central America and the northern Caribbean region, and is now present in: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico.
Sources
Anonymous (1994)
NAPPO Newsletter, 14 (4), p 6 ; 8.