A Multimodal Attract-and-Kill Device for the Asian Citrus Psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Abstract

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.

Combining visual cues and pheromone blends for monitoring and management of the tarnished plant bug Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae)

“…Compared with either olfactory or visual stimuli alone, combining the visual and olfactory cues may augment the accuracy of discriminating between hosts from nonhosts, mates from nonmates and specific parts of host plants, for example. These synergistic responses of insects to host plants and mates using visual, olfactory and tactile cues have been reported previously 36–39 . In our study, we combined the best visual cue and pheromone blends to increase the attraction and capture of L. lineolaris .…”

Altered volatile emission of pear trees under elevated atmospheric CO2 levels has no relevance to pear psyllid host choice

“…The olfactometer experiments revealed no significant attraction of C. pyri females to pear odors, indicating that host selection of C. pyri may not be based on plant volatiles alone. Previous studies on other psyllid species highlighted the importance of visual cues on host selection (Farnier et al 2018 ; George et al 2020 ; Patt et al 2011 ; Wenninger et al 2009 ). Further research should be undertaken to investigate the role of visual cues and possible synergistic effects of olfactory and visual cues for host detection of C. pyri .…”

Cultural Management of Huanglongbing: Current Status and Ongoing Research

“…For example, traps baited with a putative sex pheromone captured more psyllids than no baited ones (Zanardi et al 2018). Recently, it has been reported that cylindrical yellow traps impregnated with an attractive lure and a pyrethroid were more effective in attracting and killing psyllids than standard yellow sticky traps (George et al 2020a).…”