BAd Bugs, Diseases, and other ugly things
Bacterial leaf scorch and Oleander leaf scorch
You may have noticed there are some popular plant species that are not listed in the plant lists:
- Sweet gum - Liquidambar styraciflua
- Olive - Olea europea
- Flowering plum - Prunus cerasifera
- Oleander - Nerium oleander
We recommend not planting these species. They are getting hit hard in our area with an incurable disease, Xylella fastidiosa, that is transmitted by an insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter. As plants become infected, they look like a branch or two is drying out. This is because the water-conducting tissues of the plant become plugged. Eventually the entire plant looks like it dried out.
Asian Citrus Psyllid
We need your help! There is a deadly disease that is just starting to spread throughout southern California that can have devastating consequences for the citrus industry. The disease is called Huanglongbing disease and is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid. If you suspect you have an infection in your citrus trees, contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture Exotic Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899. Or, contact your county ag commissioner: Riverside County or San Bernardino County.
Polyphagous shot hole borer
This tiny little guy, the size of Lincoln's nose on a penny, is spreading a disease called Fusarium Dieback. It is hitting avocado, fig, box elder, sycamore, coast live oak, Engelmann oak, palo verde, mesquite, plus many more species.
For credible, excellent information on all kinds of landscape pests, go to the University of California Integrated Pest Management website.