Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Chemical Control of the African Citrus Psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Psylloidea: Triozidae)

Paula Molina,Francisco José Arenas-Arenas,Aurea Hervalejo,María Teresa Martínez-Ferrer,Estrella Hernández-Suárez,José Miguel Campos-Rivela,Nuria Agustí,Felipe Siverio,Rositta Rizza

doi:10.3390/agronomy12020441

Abstract

The recent spread of the African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae, one of the vectors of the devastating citrus disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), to parts of mainland Europe has created considerable concern. In this study, we show the efficacy of several insecticides with varying modes of action on different developmental stages of T. erytreae. In laboratory trials, spinetoram caused the highest mortality in T. erytreae eggs (between 80 and 90%), while dimethoate, lambda cyhalothrin, spinetoram, cyantraniliprole, and paraffin oil showed over 90% mortality on nymphs. Dimethoate, spinetoram and paraffin oil also demonstrated high efficacy against adults. In winter field conditions, dimethoate showed the best results to control T. erytreae nymph populations, and lambda cyhalothrin showed persistent egg control. Our results support the use of different insecticides to control T. erytreae for adults in winter, and for egg and nymph populations in spring and summer.

Highlights

The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a vector of the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter africanus and CandidatusLiberibacter asiaticus
In 2014, T. erytreae was detected in north-western Spain (Pontevedra, Galicia) and northern Portugal [13], which was the first time it was detected in the mainland Mediterranean basin
Only four active ingredients were effective on eggs: dimethoate, lambda cyhalothrin, spinetoram, and flupyradifurone (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a vector of the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter africanus and Candidatus. These bacteria are the causal agents of African citrus greening disease [1,2], and Asian citrus greening disease [3], respectively. Control measures applied during the outbreak did not stop the spread of the pest, and currently, it is present in several key citrus-producing areas of Portugal, including the region of the Algarve, next to Huelva, a very important citrus producing area of Spain [10,14,15]. A major effort must be made to contain the spread of this pest, which threatens the nearby citrus production of Andalusia

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion