Traditional and advanced management of the Asian citrus psyllid, vector of huanglongbing

Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease is caused by the phloem-restricted bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) and is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri. Cultural, biological and chemical methods of pest control using reflective mulches, predators, parasitoids, and insecticides have been shown to reduce ACP populations between 80-100% in the citrus crops grown under traditional orchard system. Despite such reductions, this vector disease complex continues to spread. Additionally, increased chemical control is resulting in ACP resistance to some important insecticides, reduced biological control, and environmental degradation. Fruit quality and quantity of infected trees and their market value are reduced. Therefore, advanced production systems providing a physical barrier against vector colonization are becoming a necessity, particularly for fresh fruit crops. Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) is one such system being implemented to produce large acreage of citrus crops free of ACP-HLB under-screened enclosures. Individual Protective Covers (IPCs) used to grow young trees during the initial few years after planting to protect from pests and diseases are also becoming common. Significant advantages of these systems have been documented to show protection from ACP-HLB and improved plant health and yield. However, the occurrence of other pests is reported from these systems. Pest management in traditional and advanced systems will be discussed.