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Title: Seasonal flight activity by the Asian citrus psyllid in east central Florida

Author
item Hall, David
item Hentz, Matthew

Submitted to: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2011
Publication Date: 3/15/2011
Citation: Hall, D.G., Hentz, M.G. 2011. Seasonal flight activity by the Asian citrus psyllid in east central Florida. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 139:75-85.

Interpretive Summary: The Asian citrus psyllid is an important invasive citrus pest in the United States because it vectors a bacterium responsible for a devastating disease of citrus known as huanglongbing. Information was lacking on seasonal aspects of flight activity by the psyllid, which could have ramifications on psyllid management as well as our understanding of epidemiology of the disease. Of interest from a pest management standpoint would be if the psyllid flies to or away from citrus on a regular, predictable schedule. Our research indicated that flight activity away from citrus can occur at any time of the year, that adult dispersal from citrus occurs consistently during the spring, and that the number of adults dispersing from citrus increases as their population levels increase in citrus.

Technical Abstract: The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is an important invasive citrus pest in the United States because it vectors a bacterium responsible for a devastating disease of citrus known as huanglongbing. Information was lacking on seasonal aspects of flight activity by D. citri, which could have ramifications on psyllid management as well as our understanding of epidemiology of the disease. Of interest from a pest management standpoint would be if D. citri makes trivial flights to or away from citrus on a regular, predictable schedule and if the species migrates. In research presented here, seasonal flight activity by D. citri was investigated using yellow sticky traps deployed in citrus trees and in fallow areas adjacent to citrus. Results indicated that flight activity away from citrus can occur at any time of the year, that adult dispersal from citrus occurs consistently during the spring, and that the number of adults dispersing from citrus increases as their population levels increase in citrus.