Integrated pest management strategies to address HLB: emerging approaches for Florida citrus sustainability

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is now endemic to Florida (USA), and the citrus industry there must adapt to persistent high disease pressure. The disease is associated with the phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and transmitted by the insect vector Diaphorina citri . Several techniques have been developed to manage various aspects of HLB, but no single technique can effectively control the disease on its own. Because there is no “silver bullet” for HLB, the available tools must be integrated into regional integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and further developed in order to achieve disease control and maintain sustainable citrus production in the state. The intent of this report is to highlight the tools available for HLB IPM, particularly those developed by our research team and industry partners. This includes the use of individual protective covers (IPCs) and plant defense inducers as preventive methods to protect young trees and new flush and oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injection on mature trees to manage HLB under endemic conditions. Additional tools in the developmental pipeline, including an automated delivery system for OTC trunk injections, which could help reduce labor costs, are also discussed. Together, these integrated approaches provide a practical framework for mitigating HLB impacts while supporting the long-term resilience and productivity of Florida’s citrus industry.