Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Chemical Control of the African Citrus Psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Psylloidea: Triozidae)

Abstract

The recent spread of the African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae, one of the vectors of the devastating citrus disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), to parts of mainland Europe has created considerable concern. In this study, we show the efficacy of several insecticides with varying modes of action on different developmental stages of T. erytreae. In laboratory trials, spinetoram caused the highest mortality in T. erytreae eggs (between 80 and 90%), while dimethoate, lambda cyhalothrin, spinetoram, cyantraniliprole, and paraffin oil showed over 90% mortality on nymphs. Dimethoate, spinetoram and paraffin oil also demonstrated high efficacy against adults. In winter field conditions, dimethoate showed the best results to control T. erytreae nymph populations, and lambda cyhalothrin showed persistent egg control. Our results support the use of different insecticides to control T. erytreae for adults in winter, and for egg and nymph populations in spring and summer.