A GUAVA-VOLATILE-BASED REPELLENT FORMULATION TO MANAGE THE ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID, THE KEY VECTOR OF CITRUS GREENING

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0221669
• Grant No.: 2010-33610-20942
• Proposal No.: 2010-00193
• Project Start Date: Jun 15, 2010
• Project End Date: Feb 14, 2011
• Grant Year: 2010
• Program Code: [8.12]- Small and Mid-Size Farms

Recipient Organization
ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2060 CHICAGO AVE STE C2
RIVERSIDE,CA 92507

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop a slow-release sprayable formulation of a guava-based chemical compound with repellant activity to manage the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), an insect that is associated with the spread of the pathogenic agent that causes the deadly Citrus greening disease. ISCA Technologies will formulate this guava-based chemical with a proprietary flowable, matrix (SPLAT) that has proven track record for the controlled, long lasting, dissemination of odors that effectively help users manipulate the behavior of insect pests in field situations. The SPLAT guava-based repellent/deterrent is likely to help small and large citrus growers to manage ACP populations in their groves.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
211	0999	1160	50%
211	3110	1130	50%

Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0999 - Citrus, general/other; 3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology; 1160 - Pathology;

Keywords

small farmers

asian citrus psyllid

citrus greening disease

huanglongbing

organic control

nonpolluting control

semiochemical

guava volatiles

repellent

technology development

environmentally safe

integrated pest management

pest control

diaphorina citri

arthropoda

invertebrata

Goals / Objectives
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop a slow-release sprayable formulation of a guava-based semiochemical compound with repellant activity to manage the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a major vector of Citrus greening disease.

Project Methods
ISCA Technologies SPLAT application has a proven track record for the controlled dissemination of semiochemicals in field situations. The guava-based repellent/deterrent might be a promising tool to manipulate the behavior of ACP in small and large citrus groves. If this semiochemical material proves efficacious in repelling Asian citrus psyllid, then the SPLAT Technology will be the logical way to deliver this material in citrus orchards with a good probability for successful management of citrus greening.

Progress 06/15/10 to 02/14/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: ISCA, together with Lukasz Stelinski from UF/IFAS has been able to demonstrate the feasibility of use SPLAT Repel to manage ACP in citrus orchards in Florida. PARTICIPANTS: Lukasz Stelinski from UF/IFAS Lake Alfred, Florida TARGET AUDIENCES: Citrus growers and citrus industry in general. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), is the vector of Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening; a disease associated with the presence of the pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter spp. The Asian citrus psyllid was first established in the US in 1998, where it was found in Miami Florida. With the recent invasion of California, ACP is now present in all major US citrus producing states. The HLB pathogen invariably follows the vector, with trees showing signs of the disease approximately one to three years after infection. In Florida the first detection of HLB infected citrus trees in 2005 triggered a concerted effort to detect and remove the infected trees, which has now become a monumental task. Last year more than 1 million HLB infected citrus trees were removed from FL groves. The basis of current control methods is the cover application of conventional insecticides to suppress ACP populations; however many believe this strategy is not working, and feel there is an urgent need to develop more effective tools to manage ACP. Furthermore, in response to consumer demand, citrus growers managing ACP are seeking low risk alternatives to traditional pesticides that utilize equipment they already possess. ISCA Technologies' SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology) is a tool that incorporates semiochemicals into an emulsion capable of flowing out of conventional spray application systems, including backpack sprayers and tractors. The short term goal of this project was to develop the product SPLAT ACP Repel and mechanize its application using the tools that small farmers have available (backpack sprayers and gators) as well as equipment that can be used for large area-wide programs (tractors, helicopters, airplanes, etc.) in order to achieve a long term goal that ISCA Technologies and many others share, which is to decrease the small citrus growers' reliance on FQPA-targeted insecticides, thus reducing the risk of residues in harvested fruit and orchard worker exposure. ISCA, together with Lukasz Stelinski from UF/IFAS has been able to demonstrate the feasibility of use SPLAT Repel to manage ACP in citrus orchards in Florida.

Publications

• No publications reported this period