Control of Asian Citrus Psyllids and Leafminers

Biological control can have a significant impact on Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and citrus leafminer (CLM) populations in Florida, a researcher reported in a Nov. 19 virtual meeting. Jawwad Qureshi, associate professor of entomology with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), also discussed some cultural and chemical controls that work on the pests. 

ACP

Qureshi, who works at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, said biological control of the HLB-spreading ACP includes predators like ladybeetles and lacewings, the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata and the entomopathogenic fungi Hirsutella citriformis.

Cultural control of ACP can be accomplished through the use of UV reflective plastic mulches, individual protective covers (IPCs) and citrus under protective screen (CUPS), he reported. IPCs and CUPS keep the ACP from gaining access to trees.

Chemical control of the pest consists of soil applications and foliar sprays of insecticides.

Qureshi reported that ACPs show a strong preference for living on the edge of commercial citrus groves. He said predators, including ladybeetles, were relatively heavier in the perimeter of groves than in the interior. He added that there were no or few differences in biotic mortality and net reproductive rate of ACPs between the perimeter and interior of groves.

CLM

Ladybeetle larva, lacewings, ants and spiders are among the biological predators contributing significantly to CLM mortality, Qureshi reported. He said the predators provided from 52% to 85% biotic mortality of CLM in research trials.

UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri, who hosted Qureshi’s presentation, noted that the same IPCs that protect young trees from ACP also effectively protect those trees from CLM.

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