Monitoring for Susceptibility of the Asian Citrus Psyllid to Insecticides and Potential Microbial Control Agents

The Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is currently one of the most destructive pests to citrus crop in Florida following its introduction in 1988. . It is a vector of a bacterial disease called “ Haunlongbing,” also known as “Greening disease”. The bacterial disease was initially found in Florida by 2005 and presently more than 43% of Florida’s citrus groves are infested with this disease. The deadly combination, Asian citrus psyllid and Haunlongbing is a critical threat to the United States citrus industry as it continues to spread nationwide. A modified rearing technique has been developed to provide immature and adult stages of the psyllid for laboratory bioassays. We have also developed an adult vial test for use to screen for potential resistant allele frequency in citrus psyllid populations. Previous bioassays indicated that the citrus psyllid was susceptible to fungal pathogens. Overall, our study provided promising new avenues for the management of the Asian citrus psyllid.