Bacterial disease
Orange Huanglongbing (Citrus Greening)
Also known as Citrus greening, HLB
A serious bacterial disease of citrus, spread by a tiny insect, that causes blotchy yellow leaves and small, bitter fruit. There is no cure.
Symptoms
- Blotchy, uneven yellow mottling that does not match on both halves of the leaf
- Small, lopsided, bitter fruit that stays green at one end
- Twig dieback and thinning of the tree
What causes it
The bacteria are spread by the Asian citrus psyllid and by moving infected plants or grafting material.
What you can do
- Report suspected cases to your local plant health authority if required where you live.
- Infected trees cannot be cured and are usually removed to protect others.
- Control psyllids and buy citrus only from certified, disease-free sources.
- Do not move citrus plants or cuttings out of quarantine areas.
Not sure it's huanglongbing (citrus greening)?
Photograph one affected leaf and Plantulus will suggest the most likely problem, with a confidence score. It's free and needs no sign-up.
Check a leaf photoGeneral guidance only, not a diagnosis. Check product labels and local rules before using any treatment, and ask a horticultural specialist if a valuable plant is struggling. See the disclaimer.