ACP can carry the huanglobing (HLB) disease, also recognized as citrus greening, a deadly disease to citrus plants. ACP is only one of two known carriers of the disease, the other being the African citrus psyllid.
All citrus trees are at risk of being infected with the disease and currently there’s no known cure. Once the tree is infected, it will produce bitter and misshaped fruit until it ultimately dies.
Symptoms of citrus greening include yellow veins, vein corking, and blotchy mottle on the leaves, and misshapen appearance and salty, bitter taste on the fruit itself.
As a result of the ACP discovery, most citrus and curry tree nursery stock are forbidden from leaving the quarantined areas. Exceptions are made for nursery stock and budwood grown in places approved by the USDA that are designed to keep ACP and other insects away.
California produces approximately 92% of the lemons and 80% of tangerines in the United States. In 2013, lemon sales were over $369 million.