It is caused by the bacterium Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus, which is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, a tiny, wedge-shaped brown and white mottled insect. Dr Ekesi says that Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus is also transmitted by African citrus psyllid, a pest which is largely responsible for the mild African citrus greening disease. Citrus farmers in the country have been grappling with African citrus greening disease, which has made the highlands unsuitable for growing the fruits. Therefore, the possibility of the Asian citrus greening disease scares stakeholders as the disease is highly devastating and incurable. The government imposed a quarantine against citrus fruits in 1995 in bid to defeat the African citrus greening disease.

Source: Daily Nation December 21, 2018 16:18 UTC