A growing population of Asian citrus psyllids was found at four sites in Maricopa. This is the first detection of the psyllids in Kern County this year.

It’s a bug that can transmit a deadly plant disease called HLB that kills citrus and other fruit trees. The Kern County Agriculture Commission has taken action to stop the bugs that carry it. 

"A couple of the traps that we had in Maricopa came back positive and had some Asian citrus psyllids. The state came down and performed visual surveys in the area and were able to discover many life stages of multiple individuals of the psyllids so that tells us that there is a breeding population," said Ag Commissioner Glenn Fankhauser.

Fankhauser warns anyone with any fruit or citrus trees in their back yard to be on the lookout for these pesky bugs and to not buy plants from other areas.

If you notice any insects that you haven't seen before you can call the Kern County Agriculture Commission's office at 868-6300.

They can examine a sample to ensure that the insects are not Asian citrus psyllids.