Attraction of traps to Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) in urban environments

Current presence/absence detection method for Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in urban areas relies on the use of yellow sticky traps without additional chemical lures. This trapping method is used because in absence of data for an urban setting, this method is acceptable for use in commercial citrus production. Detection of adult Asian citrus psyllid in urban areas is essential to reduce the spread of the psyllid from urban areas to surrounding commercial citrus production. Therefore, we investigated the relative trapping efficiency of four traps (four different colors) currently used for detection of Asian citrus psyllid adults. We also investigated the attractions of the same traps with the addition of two chemical lures that mimic plant volatiles from Eureka lemon and Mexican lime. The studies were conducted in urban areas in Los Angeles, California, and Weslaco, Texas in the spring and summer of 2011. The results of the studies are discussed in terms of use in a presence/absence detection method.