Location: Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research
Project Number: 6034-22320-007-028-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 15, 2026
End Date: Dec 31, 2030
Objective:
So-called 'SNAP plants' provide the natural enemies of crop pest with critical resources: Shelter, Nectar, Alternate Prey, and Pollen. The main objective is to determine whether incorporating ‘SNAP plants’ into citrus groves and residential citrus will significantly increase the mortality of Asian citrus psyllid on citrus and related landscaping plants such as orange jasmine.
Specific objectives:
1. To identify high-performing 'SNAP plant' species and varieties that will attract and support the natural enemies of the Asian citrus psyllid in south Florida.
2. To determine whether incorporating these ‘insectary plants’ will result in a significant decrease in the survivorship of immature Asian citrus psyllid.
3. To determine the optimum planting times and rotations of SNAP plants during the growing season.
4. To determine whether plant signaler compounds can be used to increase natural enemy recruitment to citrus trees and increase psyllid mortality.
5. To make the results available to citrus growers and other ARS stakeholders and to visitors to the Cooperator.
Approach:
The Cooperator, a not-for-profit public display garden, is permitting ARS to use their grounds to conduct experiments on the biological control of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). ARS will purchase materials and supplies needed for the experiments and ARS personnel will conduct the experiments. Planter boxes containing ‘insectary plants’ will be planted on site and tested for their ability to attract and support natural enemies of ACP. 'SNAP plants' are plant species that provide pollen, nectar and alternate prey to the natural enemies of the psyllid. Impact on ACP populations will be measured on sentinel ACP host plants. Tests will be conducted to determine whether application of plant signaling compounds (methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid) to the ACP host plants influences the levels of ACP and ACP natural enemies on the plants. ARS will work with Cooperator to provide educational materials for visitors to the garden on biological control and the impact of invasive species on agriculture and the local environment.