Travelers advised not to bring plants, fruit that threaten citrus crops

For those people traveling to and from Mexico to celebrate the All Souls Day (“Día de Los Muertos”) holiday, the U.S. Custom and Border Protection issued a press release concerning the importation of Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine). Border community families celebrate the holiday by constructing altars to commemorate the lives of loved ones and/or famous persons who have died. Orange jasmine, which is very fragrant, is sometimes used in the construction of these altars. The plant is a host for the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), an insect that can vector citrus greening disease, and it is therefore prohibited from entry into the U.S. Citrus greening disease, also called Huanglongbing, is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. U.S.-Mexico border residents are also being advised not to bring other prohibited citrus fruits and plants from Mexico or any foreign country into the U.S. Prohibited citrus includes: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sour oranges and sweet limes. Other popular non-citrus fruits that also are prohibited include guavas, mangoes, peaches and pomegranates.

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey W. Lotz, Fla. Dept. of Ag and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org