Can the addition of odor and visual targets enhance attraction of the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to sticky traps

Authors: KHADKA, ARJUN - University Of Florida; Allan, Sandra - Sandy; Cho, Daniel; WEEKS, EMMA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/19/2020
Publication Date: 8/17/2020
Citation: Khadka, A., Allan, S.A., Cho, D.I., Weeks, E. 2020. Can the addition of odor and visual targets enhance attraction of the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to sticky traps. Journal of Economic Entomology. 113(5). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa184.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa184

Interpretive Summary: Asian citrus psyllids are invasive insects that negatively impact the citrus industry as a pest but also more significantly as a vector of Huanglongbing/citrus greening. Monitoring the population levels of Asian citrus psyllids is critical for management of these pest insects and concomitantly citrus greening. Monitoring is typically conducted using yellow sticky traps. Scientists at USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, in collaboration with those at University of Florida, conducted a laboratory study to determine if the use of different trap colors in combination with plant volatile odors, either individually or in blends, or central visual targets, would increase attraction to the sticky traps. One shade of yellow paint on the traps in combination with a single volatile chemical were found to increase the attraction of the psyllids to the sticky traps. These results establish a foundation for potential future field trails to determine if these combined trap color/components will increase the efficacy of low population surveillance of the Asian citrus psyllids under field conditions and lead to better control of these pest insects.

Technical Abstract: Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) negatively impacts the citrus industry as it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of citrus greening. Monitoring the population levels of D. citri is critical for management of vectors and predominantly citrus greening and is usually through use of yellow sticky traps. The use of odors, odor blends and visual targets were evaluated to determine if attraction to yellow sticky traps could be improved. Methyl salicylate consistently increased attracted to decoy yellow but not to other yellow or yellow-green traps. Addition of a visual target did not enhance attraction to visual traps. While several blends of chemicals were evaluated, they did not increase attraction of psyllids to yellow decoy traps. The increased attraction to traps with methyl salicylate is promising and may contribute to trapping efficiency of sticky traps under field conditions.