Trapping Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) on Adhesive-Coated New Shoots of Murraya paniculata

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), <i>Diaphorina citri</i> Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is a vector of <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter asiaticus (<i>C</i>Las), the causal agent of citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). We examine the effectiveness of spraying adhesive on new shoots of orange jasmine (<i>Murraya paniculata</i>) to trap ACP in laboratory and field conditions and for the monitoring of ACP population dynamics and directional preferences. After 36 h of observation, orange jasmine plants with new shoots, with and without adhesive, are significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) more attractive to ACP than plants without new shoots. In field trials, orange jasmine with new shoots attracted more ACP, particularly females, than plants without new shoots. A male-biased ACP sex ratio occurred in a near-natural population. Orange jasmine with new shoots coated with adhesive more effectively trapped ACP than yellow sticky traps, particularly during the winter and early spring, when ACP densities were low. ACP has a strong phototropic response, preferring to feed and rest in south- and east-facing positions. Adhesive trapping shows potential for attracting adult ACP, especially in citrus orchards during cooler seasons, when host trees lack new shoots, and it may be particularly effective in doing so in urban areas and unmanaged citrus refugia (the primary sources of ACP infestations for commercial groves).