[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                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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