A multimodal attract-and-kill device for sustainable management of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Authors: GEORGE, JUSTIN - University Of Florida; Lapointe, Stephen; Markle, Larry; Patt, Joseph - Joe; Allan, Sandra - Sandy; SETAMOU, M - Texas A&M University; RIVERA, MONIQUE - University Of California; QURESHI, J - University Of Florida; STELINSKI, L - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2020
Publication Date: 12/8/2020
Citation: George, J., Lapointe, S.L., Markle, L.T., Patt, J.M., Allan, S.A., Setamou, M., Rivera, M., Qureshi, J.A., Stelinski, L.L. 2020. A multimodal attract-and-kill device for sustainable management of Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Insects. 11(12). Article number 870. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120870.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120870

Interpretive Summary: The Asian citrus psyllid remains a scourge of North American citrus production due to its ability to transmit the devastating citrus greening disease, Huanglongbing. Interception of infected psyllids migrating between infected and uninfected trees can provide an avenue for greatly reducing disease risk for newly planted young citrus trees. Currently the most effective trap for the Asian citrus psyllid has been the yellow sticky trap which relies on visual attraction only. In this study, researchers from USDA-ARS, Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, Florida and Center for Medical Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida in collaboration with scientists from University of Florida, Texas A&M University and University of California, Riverside, developed and evaluated a multi-modal attract-and-kill device under laboratory and field conditions. The novel CAPUT (Color, Attractant, Phagostimulant, UV reflectant and Toxicant) device utilizes multiple attractants that are visual (yellow, ultraviolet, 3-dimensional) and chemical (phagostimulants) in conjunction with an insecticide to deliver control of Asian citrus psyllids. The CAPUT device provided greater control than the commonly used yellow sticky cards and is expected to be implemented for assessment of field psyllid populations by the citrus agribusiness and contribute to sustainable and environmentally appropriate management of the Asian citrus psyllid.

Technical Abstract: Phytophagous insects, including Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), use multiple sensory modalities (vision, olfaction, gustation, perception of auditory or vibrational stimuli) to locate host plants or conspecifics. We explored incorporation of several sensory cues into a multi-modal attract-and-kill device (AK device) using a three-dimensional shape to increase visibility as well as elements of Color, Attractant, Phagostimulant, UV reflectant and Toxicant (CAPUT device). Attraction of adult D. citri to the device was mediated by a combination of a highly reflective yellow cylinder, a UV reflectant compound (magnesium oxide) and an odorant blend as a short-range attractant. The device surface was coated with a slow-release wax matrix (SPLAT™) augmented with a phagostimulant consisting of a 3-component blend (formic acid, acetic acid and para-cymene) and an insecticide (ß-cyfluthrin). Psyllids landing on the device attempted to feed from the wax matrix, became intoxicated, died and fell from the device. The device remained fully active over a period of months partly because dead psyllids or nontargets did not adhere to the surface as occurs on adhesive yellow sticky cards, the industry standard. Laboratory and field assays showed that the device attracted and killed significantly more adult D. citri than ordinary yellow sticky cards. This device or a future iteration based on the design elements of this device is expected to contribute to sustainable and environmentally appropriate management of D. citri by exploiting the psyllid’s innate behavioral responses to visual, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli.