See what pests a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article says you should target with your Pest Management Plan for citrus.
“Pest management is a year-round challenge in Florida citrus,” according to a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. They maintain that pests are always ready for crop plants to be available due to Florida’s tropical climate. However, growers can use the knowledge of pest biology and tree growth to develop a pest management plan for your citrus. The article shares those pests that are most problematic that should be targeted. See the details below.
Pests for Your Pest Management Plan for Citrus
Asian Citrus Psyllid and Citrus Leafminer: “generally increase with flush/new growth development. Therefore, targeting peak flush periods can help keep their populations from exploding.”
Lebbeck Mealybug: “generally occurs with initial fruit setting. Damage from feeding at this stage of fruit development will cause high rates of fruit drop. Protecting developing fruit is key to protecting the crop. For early spring applications, be sure to check the label for use in relation to bloom for pollinator protection. These pests will need to be managed throughout the year, though the extent of management depends on the intended fruit market.”
Rust Mites: “Rust mite damage to fruit can be minimized by targeted management in late spring (April/May), when populations first start to develop. Keeping mite levels low while fruit are in the early stages of development can prevent high levels of damage.”
Thrips: “Thrips can be a challenge, especially for fresh market producers. Flower thrips cause damage during bloom if populations are increasing. This pest should be managed prior to bloom to reduce flower abortion. Orchid and greenhouse thrips cause rind blemishing where they feed on developing fruit.”
Chilli Thrips: “have emerged as a management challenge in screenhouse production. Research into their management is ongoing. Preliminary data suggest that managing non-crop hosts including weeds and other flowering trees can reduce the local population and subsequent migration into citrus under protective screen or nurseries.”
Root Weevils: “Root weevils are present in various life stages throughout the year. Because the primary damage from root weevils occurs underground, it can be hard to time management actions appropriately.” See the Florida Citrus Production Guide on Citrus Root Weevil.
Snails: “In recent years, Bulimulis bonarienses, commonly referred to as the peanut snail or ghost snail, has been wreaking havoc in citrus groves by clogging irrigation and defoliating young trees within individual protective covers. While University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are still learning the seasonal activity patterns of this pest and evaluating management options, they have found that abamectin, which is used for several other pests in citrus, can also have impacts on these snails. In product screening assays, Agri-Mek SC (abamectin 8.0%) used at the maximum labeled rate for citrus had a 100% mortality rate if applied during periods of snail activity (i.e., when snails are mobile, exposed or partially exposed from their shells).”
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