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Title: Gamma-butyrolactone as a lure for traps targeting the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

Author
item Thomas, Donald

Submitted to: Subtropical Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2010
Publication Date: 9/1/2010
Citation: Thomas, D.B. 2010. Gamma-butyrolactone as a lure for traps targeting the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Homoptera: Psyllidae). Subtropical Plant Science. 62:34-37.

Interpretive Summary: The Asian citrus psyllid is an insect pest that has invaded the citrus growing areas of the United States. By feeding on citrus trees, it spreads the bacteria that causes citrus greening disease. A chemical, GBL, produced by the female insect is attractive to males of the species. A purified form of the chemical was tested as a lure to enhance traps used for detection and surveys for this pest. However, the GBL lure failed to increase the numbers captured compared to the unbaited traps.

Technical Abstract: The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an invasive pest of citrus and vector of citrus greening disease. Gamma-butyrolactone failed to lure adult psyllids to sticky traps deployed in infested citrus groves in numbers greater than those captured on non-baited traps.