Advice on Asian Citrus Psyllid Management

The strategies to control the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in Florida have evolved over the years. Some practices have come and gone, but one point remains — ACP control is essential.

That was the message Lukasz Stelinski made during the June episode of the All In For Citrus podcast. Stelinski, an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been studying the ACP for many years.

The Florida citrus industry went through a phase of aggressive psyllid control. Some growers were applying insecticides up to a dozen or more times per year. But now, Stelinski said growers should target the flush periods because that is when the pest is reproducing.

He added that growers would benefit from insecticide applications during the dormant period that typically runs from late November to early February. Stelinski said this is a time when ACP are dying off naturally, so targeted insecticide applications can really knock populations back during this period. Applications can include the more nonselective chemistries like organophosphates and pyrethroids because concerns over honey bees are less during this time.

For use during the bloom period, he recommended products like Sivanto Prime, Movento, Portal and Micromite because they are safer to bees. Then, for the remainder of the year, particularly in June, Movento, Sivanto Prime, Delegate and Exirel can be utilized. He reminded growers of the importance of insecticide rotation to avoid ACP resistance.

For growers utilizing plant hormones like gibberellic acid, he said those materials tend to enhance flush, which could lead to high populations of ACP. So, those growers should be extra vigilant in managing the pest.

Getting away from an overly aggressive strategy, Stelinski said if you don’t have ACP in your groves, don’t spray. But when you do see them, spray — especially during the flush periods.

To hear more about Asian citrus psyllid management from one of the leading experts in the field, don’t miss the June episode of All In For Citrus. The podcast is a partnership between UF/IFAS and AgNet Media.