General Information: This organism is the causal agent of citrus canker, a bacterial infection originating from southeast Asia which now occurs worldwide. Primarily a pathogen of plants in the Citrus genus, the disease is sometimes also found in other members of the Rutaceae. The bacterium survives in leaf, shoot and fruit lesions that develop during the spring, and which also cause secondary infections. During warm, wet weather in spring and early summer, the bacterium oozes out of overwintering lesions and infects new growth via the stomal pores or wounds. The bacterium may also survive for various periods of time in the soil or associated with other hosts.