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Sampling Methods for Detection and Monitoring of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
C Monzo1, H A Arevalo2, M M Jones3
1Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida/IFAS. Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2685 State Rd. 29 North, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA. Present address: Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, CV 315 km 10.7, Moncada, Valencia 46113, Spain. cmonzo@ufl.edu.
Effective Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) monitoring is crucial for managing citrus greening disease. This study compared five sampling methods, finding grouped tree sampling and stem-tap methods most efficient for ACP detection and management.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Pest Management
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is a major citrus pest and vector of huanglongbing (citrus greening disease).
- Accurate ACP monitoring is essential for effective disease vector management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the precision, detection sensitivity, and efficiency of five different ACP sampling methods.
- To identify optimal sampling protocols for ACP monitoring in citrus orchards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized datasets from 245 citrus blocks collected between 2009 and 2013.
- Employed Taylor's power law to estimate sample sizes for a 0.25 standard error-mean ratio, comparing sampling method precision.
- Assessed detection sensitivity and time expenditure (cost) of stem-tap sampling against other methodologies.
Main Results:
- Stem-tap sampling was most efficient for moderate to high ACP densities. Grouped tree sampling protocols were more efficient than random tree sampling.
- Yellow sticky traps showed high sensitivity (14x stem-tap) but were less efficient overall due to time costs, except at very low densities.
- Visual sampling effectively monitored low ACP densities, while suction sampling was most sensitive for sparse populations despite being time-consuming.
Conclusions:
- Optimized ACP monitoring strategies can be developed by selecting appropriate sampling methods based on population density and management goals.
- Grouped tree sampling and stem-tap methods offer efficient options for routine ACP monitoring, while sticky traps and suction samplers are valuable for specific detection needs.
