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“THE LOOMING THREAT OF BROWN CITRUS APHID” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1770 on Sept. 28, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE LOOMING THREAT OF BROWN CITRUS APHID
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HON. DAN MILLER
of florida
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 27, 1996
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last fall, an unwanted invader landed in Broward and Dade Counties in south Florida. An infestation was quickly identified and confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: the brown citrus aphid has arrived in the United States.
The brown citrus aphid is a very effective host and transmitter of the dreaded citrus tristeza virus [CTV]. The combination of the aphid and the CTV virus have devastated citrus groves across the globe--
according to the National Citrus Research Council, CTV has killed over 40 million trees worldwide. Certain types of rootstocks of trees are particularly vulnerable, and are wiped out by virulent strains of CTV. For example, the popular sour orange tree stock is no longer viable in South America because of the citrus tristeza virus. More resilient rootstocks don't die, but suffer from stem pitting. Sadly, thus far the most resistant breeds have succumbed to another disease, citrus blight.
After wiping out Brazilian and Argentine groves in the 1930's and 1940's, the brown citrus aphid and the CTV virus began an inexorable march northward. Outbreaks in Venezuela over the past 15 years have hampered their production, killing over 80 percent of their trees from 1980-87. In 1989, the brown citrus aphid was spotted in Costa Rica, and in Jamaica in 1993.
Obviously, the deadly combination of the aphid and CTV pose a serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry and the national economy. There are over 1.2 million acres of citrus in the United States, and the citrus industry exceeds over $19 billion in gross revenue. The U.S. Government and the citrus industry need to combat this threat on three fronts: First, gain a better understanding of the different strains of CTV and their relationship with the brown citrus aphid; second, develop more resistant rootstocks; and third, develop and embark upon a comprehensive control strategy. Citrus tristeza virus and the brown citrus aphid will not go away, but with early identification and action we can limit the damage of this scourge.
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