Phytophagous insects, including Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama), use multiple sensory modalities (vision, olfaction, and gustation,) to locate and accept host plants. We explored incorporation of several sensory cues into a multi-modal attract-and-kill device (AK device) using a three-dimensional shape to increase visibility, as well as elements of color, attractant, phagostimulant, UV reflectant, and toxicant. Attraction of adult D. citri to the device was mediated by a combination of a highly reflective yellow cylinder, a UV reflectant compound (magnesium oxide), and an odorant blend as a short-range attractant. The device surface was coated with a slow-release wax matrix (SPLAT™) augmented with a phagostimulant consisting of a 3-component blend (formic acid, acetic acid, and para-cymene) and an insecticide (β-cyfluthrin). Psyllids landing on the device attempted to feed from the wax matrix, became intoxicated, died, and fell from the device. The device remained fully active over a period of 12 weeks partly because dead psyllids or nontargets did not adhere to the surface as occurs on adhesive yellow sticky cards, the industry standard. Laboratory and field assays showed that the device attracted and killed significantly more adult D. citri than ordinary yellow sticky cards. This device or a future iteration based on the design elements of this device is expected to contribute to sustainable and environmentally appropriate management of D. citri by exploiting the psyllid’s innate behavioral responses to visual, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli.

Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the putative causal agent of Huanglongbing disease. Although they primarily feed on the phloem of Citrus and related plants, when grove or host conditions are unfavorable, D. citri may be able to use weed species as alternate food sources for survival. To explore this possibility, electrical penetration graph (EPG) recordings (18 h) were performed to investigate the feeding behavior of psyllid adults and nymphs on three common south Florida weeds (Bidens alba, Eupatorium capillifolium, and Ludwigia octovalvis). EPG recordings revealed that the proportion of time spent by D. citri feeding on xylem was similar on all tested weed species (19%–22%) and on the positive control (20%), the preferred host, Citrus macrophylla. Very little to no phloem feeding was observed on weed species by either nymphs or adults. Histological studies using epifluorescence microscopy showed that salivary sheaths were branched and extended into xylem of weed species, whereas they ended in phloem on citrus plants. No choice behavioral assays showed that adults can obtain some nutrition by feeding on weed species (xylem feeding) and they may be able to survive on them for short intervals, when host conditions are unfavorable.