Dialeurodes citri is an invasive pest introduced in Spain in 1987. It was not treated as a pest until 2015, when it affected persimmon production. In 2021 it also started to act as a pest in citrus.
Solution
A combination of monitoring methods and application of plant protection products to reduce first generation (normally from the end of May to the beginning of June). To establish the treatment period, the adult population must be tracked.
Description
By reducing the first generation, the damage (i.e., sap consumption, honeydew and, consequently, sooty mould fungus) is strongly reduced.
Practical recommendation
• The main damage caused by D. citri is due to black fungus sooty mould, which colonises the sweet secretions of this pest. The black fungus may cover the leaves and fruit. Heavily-infested trees become weak and produce small crops of insipid fruit.
• In the Mediterranean area, D. citri has three generations per year. Apply plant protection products on the first generation. If the first generation is not controlled, the damage and the followings generations cannot be well controlled. Sensitive stages are L1 and L2. L3 and L4 are very resistant to plant protection products.
• Plan protection products to control this pest are paraffinic oils and citrus oil. The moment to use plan protection products is usually 2 weeks after adult population peak (mainly end of May or beginning of June).
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