Attraction of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to colored light

The most devasting disease of citrus, huanglongbing (HLB), is spread by the insect vector the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP).  Although ACP are known to respond to visual cues, previous studies have not documented the specific wavelengths of light attractive to ACP.  The objectives of this study were to determine the peak time periods when ACP were responsive to visual cues and to evaluate attraction of ACP to specific colors of light.  In an assay using colored light emitting diodes (LEDs), attraction responses of ACP were strongest between 12:00 and 18:00 hr.  LEDs emitting ultraviolet (375 nm), violet (400 nm), green (500 nm) or lime green (550 nm) were most attractive to both male and female ACP.  Polarization of light resulted in an increase in attraction to both violet and green light.  These findings demonstrate wavelength specific behavior in ACP and form the basis for developing more attractive traps for monitoring ACP in the field.