Tools for Organic Management of Asian Citrus Psyllid
Posted August 2025
Researchers: Jawwad Qureshi, Lukasz Stelinski, Xavier Martini, Xuedong Chen
Contact: Jawwad Qureshi, UF/IFAS SWFREC jawwadq@ufl.edu
Summary:
The organic citrus production warrants managing the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) vector of huanglongbing (HLB) using an integrated approach. Five commercially available predators, including Cryptolaemus montrouzier, Delphastus catalinae, Chrysoperla rufilabris, Orius laevigatus, and Amblyseius swirskii were tested for predatory potential on ACP eggs. Delphastus catalinae was found to be more efficient compared to the other predators. Exochomus childrenii, a lady beetle found in the organic groves, was evaluated for development on immatures of ACP. Its immatures took about four weeks to develop to adulthood at a survival rate of 60%. Females lived for about five weeks and produced a progeny of 45-60 individuals. Similar performance was observed on the diet of black citrus aphid, Toxoptera aurantii, suggesting multiple pest targets. Field research supported the hypothesis that methyl jasmonate is a plant defense phytostimulant which may reduce ACP and HLB. From an early season application of Aza-Direct®, Entrust®, and PyGanic® in an organic citrus block, most suppression was observed from Entrust®, averaging 41-56%. An average reduction of 79%, 63%, and 36% was observed from the treatments of M-pede® (soap), JMS stylet oil®, and Surround® (Kaolin), respectively, one week after application during the growing season. Exclusion experiments revealed 23-75% mortality of ACP immatures. Release of Tamarixia radiata resulted in 14-66% parasitized colonies and parasitism averaging 64- 83% across three organic programs.
Take Home Message:
- Commercial and naturally occurring predators suppress ACP.
- Release of T. radiata contributes to ACP mortality.
- Biological and chemical tools reduce ACP populations in organic citrus and are useful for other environments area-wide.
