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Citrus pest found in Plaquemines Parish

Associated Press - August 27, 2009 5:54 AM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says a multi-crop pest has been found in a commercial citrus grove south of Buras and steps have been initiated to control the insect.

Strain says the 400-tree orchard was quarantined in July and surveys were conducted to determine whether the Diaprepes root weevil spread. Additional infestation was found in mid-August at a residential property within 100 yards of the initial find.

Strain says the weevil can also attack prominent state crops such as sugarcane, sweet potatoes, cotton and corn. State horticulture experts say the weevil causes foliage discoloration, twig and branch die-back and tree death.

Strain says the state and LSU AgCenter personnel have devised a chemical treatment plan that involves a root drench and spray to contain and limit movement of the weevil, which is already established in California, Texas and Florida.