Threat looms over Florida's citrus pride as an invasive disease from Asia called 'greening' emerges.The $9 billion orange industry in Florida now faces a grave threat as an incurable tree disease holds the spotlight.

First discovered in Florida in 2005, the greening disease is believed to be spread by citrus psyllid, a small speckled brown bug which sucks out the soft tissue of citrus tree leaves.

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The bacteria are then left inside the tree and eventually block the tree's vascular system, causing it to defoliate. The fruits rot and fall as the tree gradually perishes.

Reports indicate that the bug came from Asia, as someone unknowingly shipped a sapling to Florida. According to reports, it may have spread throughout the state due to hurricanes and strong winds.

When experts began tracking the disease back to its source, they discovered that it appeared to have first manifested in trees of China, where it is called the "huanglongbing" meaning "the yellow dragon disease."

Since its discovery, Florida has spent nearly $90 million on research aimed at curing the disease, though little progress has been made as of yet.

"We can't let this thing go down on our watch," orange grove owner Ellis Hunt Jr. stated, explaining that their family spends 100 percent more on production cost as compared to 10 years ago.

Hunt's family owns over 5,000 acres of orange groves and supplies to the country's third biggest juice brand, Florida's Natural.

Brazilian citrus fruits have also seen the effects of greening and many farmers have been forced to cut down infected trees and replace them with sugarcane in hopes of salvaging some of their income.

Reportedly, greening has also affected trees in Mexico as well as other states in the U.S. known for their citrus produce, such as Texas and California.

Tagsoranges, citrus, Florida, greening, florida oranges, greening florida, tree disease