Development and field validation of a beta-cyfluthrin based "attract and kill" device for control of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), on residential citrus

Authors: CHOW, ANDREW - Texas A&M University; CZOKAJLO, DAREK - Alpha Technologies; Patt, Joseph - Joe; SETAMOU, MAMOUDOU - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2019
Publication Date: 8/15/2019
Citation: Chow, A., Czokajlo, D., Patt, J.M., Setamou, M. 2019. Development and field validation of a beta-cyfluthrin-based "attract and kill" device for suppression of Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae), on residential citrus. Journal of Economic Entomology. 112(6):2824-2832.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz221

Interpretive Summary: An ‘attract-and-kill’ AK) device was evaluated for control of adult Asian citrus psyllid on citrus trees grown in yards. The AK device, made from weather-resistant plasticized PVC, lured psyllids by simulating the color of citrus flush and killed them with a potent contact insecticide, beta-cyfluthrin. This study evaluated: 1) lethality of AK devices weathered up to eight weeks on residential citrus; 2) survival of psyllids caged with potted plants and AK devices; and, 3) psyllid control achieved by AK devices on individual trees. AK devices weathered for up to eight weeks remained lethal to psyllids. Greenhouse trials evaluated survival of adult psyllids caged for four days with orange jasmine plants that were: 1)untreated, with no AK device, 2)treated with a blank (no insecticide) AK device, or 3)treated with a beta-cyfluthrin-infused (AK) device. After four days psyllid survival was on average 19 to 20 folds greater among adults exposed to untreated plants or plants treated with blank AK devices than adults exposed to plants with AK devices. Less than half of the adults exposed to plants with AK devices were alive after one day and nearly all were dead after four days. Deployment of 20 AK devices per tree was effective for psyllid control on infested lemon trees from winter to summer and reduced mean psyllid reproduction by 91%. AK devices could be an effective control option for the Asian citrus psyllid on citrus grown in residential and urban areas.

Technical Abstract: An ‘attract-and-kill’ (AK) device was evaluated for control of adult Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), on residential citrus. The AK device, made from weather-resistant plasticized PVC, lured D. citri adults by simulating the color of citrus flush and killed them with beta-cyfluthrin. This study evaluated: 1)lethality of AK devices weathered up to eight weeks on residential citrus; 2)survival of psyllids caged with potted plants and AK devices; and, 3)psyllid control achieved by AK devices on individual trees. AK devices weathered for up to eight weeks remained lethal to psyllids. Greenhouse trials evaluated survival of adult psyllids caged for four days with orange jasmine plants that were: 1)untreated, with no AK device, 2)treated with a blank (no insecticide) AK device, or 3)treated with a beta-cyfluthrin-infused (AK) device. After four days psyllid survival was on average 19 to 20 folds greater among adults exposed to untreated plants or plants treated with blank AK devices than adults exposed to plants with AK devices. Less than half of the adults exposed to plants with AK devices were alive after one day and nearly all were dead after four days. Deployment of 20 AK devices per tree was effective for psyllid control on infested lemon trees from winter to summer and reduced mean reproduction (cumulative eggs) by 91% and mean attack intensity (cumulative psyllid-days) of adults by 59% and nymphs by 53%. AK devices could be an effective control option for Diaphornia citri in urban areas.