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California’s vibrant citrus industry, renowned for its oranges, lemons, and limes, is under threat from the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri , ACP). This small invasive pest not only jeopardizes the health of citrus trees but also acts as a carrier of Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial disease that causes citrus greening. Here’s what growers need to know about ACP, its impact, and how Kemin Crop Technologies can help with effective botanical solutions to manage and prevent infestations.
Understanding the Asian Citrus Psyllid
The Asian citrus psyllid is a sap-sucking insect native to Asia, Africa, and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. It was first detected in the United States in 2005 in Florida and in California in 2008 and has continued to spread across the major citrus growing regions. This insect’s feeding behavior damages citrus trees by causing leaves to curl and blacken. However, the real threat lies in ACP’s role as a vector for Huanglongbing (HLB). HLB is one of the most devastating diseases affecting citrus crops worldwide. HLB is caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which infects the phloem of citrus trees, disrupting nutrient flow. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure, and the disease eventually leads to the tree’s death. Infected trees can be stunted, have reduced fruit yield, blotchy mottled leaves, and produce misshapen, bitter fruit, rendering them unmarketable. The economic and ecological impact of ACP and HLB is profound, putting California’s multibillion-dollar citrus industry at significant risk.
Identifying an ACP Infestation
Early detection of ACP infestations is crucial for effective management. Growers should regularly inspect their orchards for the following:
- Adult Psyllids: Small (3-4 mm long), brown, winged insects perched at a 45-degree angle on leaves.
- Nymphs: Tiny (0.25-2 mm long), yellowish-orange immature psyllids found on new growth.
- Honeydew: Sticky substance excreted by psyllids, often leading to sooty mold development.
- Leaf Curling: Deformed leaves caused by psyllid feeding.
Regular monitoring and application during ACP’s active growth stages can significantly reduce infestations and aid in limiting the spread of HLB through psyllid vectors.
Unlock Superior Protection with TetraCURB™ MAX: Kemin’s botanical-oil based Solution
For growers seeking a sustainable and effective solution, Kemin’s botanical oil-based biopesticide, TetraCURB MAX, offers a promising option. TetraCURB MAX is a rosemary, peppermint, clove and castor oil-based contact miticide-insecticide and repellent specifically designed to target soft-bodied insects like ACP. Its unique composition is formulated from a proprietary blend of essential oils and synergizers to have multiple modes of action that paralyze, suffocate, desiccate, repel, and disrupt the pest’s feeding and reproductive cycles.
Here are the key benefits of TetraCURB MAX, and excellent tool for citrus growers to leverage:
- Smart Blend for Maximum Impact: TetraCURB MAX is formulated with a proprietary blend of active ingredients, including castor oil, rosemary oil, clove oil, and peppermint oil. It also contains an adjuvant, soap and emulsifiers ensuring optimal spray contact, spread, and improves active ingredients efficacy without phytotoxicity. This unique combination ensures multiple modes of action, such as neurotoxic effects, contact suffocation, desiccation, and repellency aiding in fast pest knockdown. The multiple modes of action also help to reduce the likelihood of pests developing resistance.
- Broad-Spectrum: TetraCURB MAX is effective against a range of pests, being specially formulated to target small, soft-bodied insects. ACP fits perfectly into this category, and we see excellent ACP knockdown in 3rd party assays.
- TetraCURB MAX Kills on contact with a quick knockdown thanks to the smart blend technology.
- Safety for Labor, Workers, and Consumers: TetraCURB MAX is made from safe-to-use ingredients, providing peace of mind for laborers and workers. Use of TetraCURB MAX requires minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) and allows a zero-hour restricted-entry interval (REI)
- Minimal Disruption to Harvest Activities: With a zero-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) TetraCURB MAX can be applied at any time during the season, including on the day of harvest.
- Versatility: TetraCURB MAX is labeled for use on all crops and has no restrictions on the number of applications per growing cycle.
- Environmental Safety: TetraCURB MAX does not cause phytotoxicity in plants when used according to the label direction.
- Easy Application: Applying TetraCURB MAX is simple. It can be used as a stand-alone or in a tank mix. Shake well before use, dilute in water, and apply as a foliar spray with standard equipment ensuring full plant coverage until runoff. With a recommended spray volume of 100 gallons per acre and a treatment interval of 5-10 days, TetraCURB MAX fits seamlessly into your crop protection routine.
- Exemption from Food Tolerance Requirements: These biopesticides are exempt from Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the United States, as the pesticide residue expected to remain on crops after application is minimal.
Proven Efficacy in Lab and Field Trials
Recent studies conducted at the University of Florida and in Oviedo, Florida have demonstrated the efficacy of TetraCURB MAX against ACP. First, in lab bioassays, TetraCURB MAX at a 1% rate achieved a 59% mortality rate of ACP nymphs within just three days of the application, outperforming the positive control Spinosad-based product. A field trial on sweet orange trees showed that two applications of TetraCURB MAX at 0.5% 21 days apart, significantly reduced the nymphal population by 86%, matching the performance of conventional insecticides like Cyazypyr at 16 fl.oz/100 gal. Download the crop sheet to see the full data set HERE:
Protecting California’s Citrus Legacy
The battle against ACP and HLB is ongoing, but with vigilance and innovative solutions like TetraCURB MAX, California’s citrus growers can protect their orchards and ensure the industry’s longevity. By adopting sustainable practices, we can safeguard the future of citrus farming for generations to come.
Don’t let ACP infestations compromise your citrus yield. Add TetraCURB™ MAX to your rotation in an IPM program and experience the benefits of superior pest control.
For more information, visit kemin.com/tetracurbmax or contact your Kemin Sales representative today.