Citrus Greening (HLB)
Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameCitrus Greening (HLB)
DescriptionCitrus greening is a terminal disease that causes blotchy yellow leaves and bitter, lopsided fruit. Identify 'blotchy mottle' to catch this serious threat early.
TypeBacteria
FamilyPhyllobacteriaceae
GenusCandidatus Liberibacter
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumProteobacteria
ClassAlphaproteobacteria
OrderRhizobiales
Features
- Also known as HLB or Huanglongbing (Yellow Dragon Disease). It is the most serious and destructive disease of citrus globally, with no known cure
- Caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter, which lives in the plant's food-conducting tissue (phloem) and blocks the flow of nutrients
- Primary leaf symptom is 'blotchy mottle'—asymmetrical yellowing where the pattern on one side of the leaf midvein does not match the other
- Infected fruit is often small, lopsided (asymmetrical), and fails to ripen correctly, remaining green at the navel end while the stem end turns orange
- The juice of infected fruit is abnormally bitter, salty, and acidic, making it completely unmarketable for either fresh eating or processing
- Tree canopy shows 'yellow shoots' or branches that stand out among the dark green foliage. Over time, leaves become small, upright, and leathery
- Causes massive dieback of twigs and roots. Infected trees typically decline and die within 3-5 years, depending on the tree's age at infection
- Spread primarily by tiny insects called psyllids (Asian Citrus Psyllid) as they feed on the sap of infected trees and carry the bacteria to healthy ones
- An infected tree may remain asymptomatic for months or even years while still serving as a source of bacteria for psyllids to spread to other trees
- Control relies entirely on prevention: planting certified clean nursery stock, controlling the psyllid vectors, and removing infected trees immediately
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificCandidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
English (Alternate)HLB, Huanglongbing, Yellow dragon disease
Hindiसिट्रस ग्रीनिंग (Citrus greening)
Tamilசிட்ரஸ் கிரீனிங் (Citrus greening)
Teluguనిమ్మ గ్రీనింగ్ తెగులు (Nimma greening tegulu)
Malayalamസിട്രസ് ഗ്രീനിങ്ങ് (Sitraṣ grīṇiṅṅ)
Kannadaನಿಂಬೆ ಹಸಿರು ರೋಗ (Nimbe hasiru rōga)
Sanskritजम्बीर-पीत-रोग (Jambīra-pīta-roga)
Bengaliসাইট্রাস গ্রিনিং (Citrus greening)
Frenchmaladie du dragon jaune
Russianозеленение цитрусовых (ozelenenie tsitrusovykh)
Spanishhuanglongbing, enverdecimiento de los cítricos
GermanGelber Drache, Citrus Greening
