The population of HLB-transmitting psyllids in Brazil dropped a significant 40% in 2024 from the prior year. Despite that drop, the psyllid population remains above the average recorded between 2014 and 2019, a period before the insect’s resistance to some insecticides was identified.
This data reinforces the need for effective control strategies to prevent new psyllid population increases, according to Fundecitrus. Marcelo Miranda, Fundecitrus researcher, said the reduction observed in 2024 is positive, but psyllids still requires attention from the citrus sector.
The variation in the psyllid population is directly linked to climatic factors and the management adopted in the field. Between 2014 and 2019, the average number of psyllids captured per trap in the Citrus Belt of São Paulo was less than 0.3, a level considered low. However, since 2020, there has been significant pest population growth, and psyllid populations reached their historical peak in 2023. The insect’s resistance to insecticides, especially pyrethroids and neonicotinoids, has been a determining factor in this increase.
To keep the psyllid population falling and to prevent new increases, proper management remains essential. “To further reduce the psyllid population, it is essential to rotate insecticides that are highly effective in controlling the insect,” Miranda said.
Fundecitrus emphasizes the importance of constant monitoring and the strategic use of products to ensure effective control and minimize the impacts of resistance.
Brazilian citrus growers can consult the Evaluate Psyllid online tool for help in effective psyllid management. This free tool provides updated results on the effectiveness of insecticides in different regions of the Citrus Belt, allowing producers to choose the most appropriate products for controlling the insect. Evaluate Psyllid is constantly updated with new experiments, ensuring accurate and current information to support decisions in the field.
Source: Fundecitrus
Share this Post
Sponsored Content