Survey for the presence of asian citrus psyllid (ACP), huanglongbing (HLB), sweet orange scab (SOS), and citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV), to determine the extent of the ACP/HLB, SOS and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the California Department of Food & Agriculture a cooperative agreement valued at $4,987,600 on October 1, 2025, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The award funds surveillance, trapping, and preliminary screening for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Huanglongbing (HLB), sweet orange scab (SOS), citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV), and other citrus diseases including citrus canker, citrus black spot, citrus variegated chlorosis, citrus leprosis, and citrus yellow mosaic virus across California. CDFA, Cooperative Agricultural Support Services (CASS), and County Agricultural Commissioners staff will conduct field surveys and inspections, with all suspect samples submitted to the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center or Citrus Rootstock Board for identification and analysis. Additional staff will be hired and trained to support regulatory and quarantine functions. Work includes preparation, rearing, and release of ACP biological control organisms; establishment and enforcement of quarantine regulations and regulated area requirements; restriction of host movement upon ACP detection; and public outreach activities to enlist support for early pest detection.

The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, with all work performed in California. The award supports early detection to prevent establishment and spread of these pests into California's agricultural production areas.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to survey for the presence of asian citrus psyllid (ACP), huanglongbing (HLB), sweet orange scab (SOS), and citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV), to determine the extent of the ACP/HLB, SOS and CYVCV infestations, control/eradicate infestations, establish and enforce quarantine regulations and regulated area requirements, restrict the movement of hosts as necessary upon the detection of ACP while the status of infestation is being determined, enlist public assistance through various outreach activities, perform immediate ACP/HLB and SOS identification and prepare, search for, rear and release ACP biological control organisms and survey for other citrus diseases not known to occur in california, including citrus canker (CC), citrus black spot (CBS), citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), citrus leprosis (CL), and citrus yellow mosaic virus (CYMV).

Activities

The surveys, trapping and preliminary screening for ACP, HLB, SOS, cyvcv and other citrus diseases will be performed by cdfa, cooperative agricultural support services (CASS), and by county agricultural commissioners (CAC) staff. The survey crew performing the inspections will be trained in symptomatology, survey sampling techniques, proper sample submission, and proper sanitation techniques. All suspect ACP, HLB, SOS, cyvcv or other citrus disease plant samples will be submitted as per protocol to the ppdc or CRB for identification and analysis. The quarantine and regulated area activities will be performed by the USDA, cdfa, and CAC staff. Additional staff will be hired and trained to perform regulatory functions. Deliverables and expected outcomes: cdfa is pro-active with its program activities for early detection of ACP, HLB, SOS, cyvcv and other citrus diseases to prevent establishment and spread into agricultural production areas of california. This project will increase the probability of early citrus pest detection, thereby allowing cdfa to take immediate and effective control and eradication action. Evaluation of the thoroughness of the survey can be quantified by the number of sites samples and samples submitted for analysis. In addition, regulatory and outreach activities can be used to determine survey effort sufficiency. Negative survey data is also beneficial because, IT determines the success of the eradication project, and IT supports the validity of existing state and federal regulations while promoting california's export program. Intended beneficiary(IES): these pests present a major threat to citrus and citrus growers within the state. California is the top citrus-producing state in the united states, with total 2021 production valued at over $3.6 billion.subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: CASS, citrus research board (CRB), and CAC contracts, department of pesticide regulation (DPR), office of environmental health hazard assessment (OEHHA), university of california riverside (UCR), grower liaisons (attachment E), outreach contract (attachment F). Also contracts made out to equipment maintenance providers; alliant, getinge and other pipette, balance and hazardous waste removal services. Each supporting the prime award in its mission and purpose through assistance in carrying out the activities to be performed.