See the natural enemies that should be a part of your integrate citrus pest management as they target the organisms that target your citrus grove.
“The decades-long role of natural enemies in managing citrus pests in Florida is critical to the development of integrated and sustainable pest management,” shared a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. It explained that “Natural enemies are the beneficial organisms that control insect and mite pests.” Explore the beneficial organisms that are helping to protect your grove from Asian citrus psyllids (ACP), citrus leafminer (CLM), aphids, mites, scales, thrips, and weevils, and that should be a part of your integrated citrus pest management, below.
Integrated Citrus Management Natural Enemies
The article shared these natural enemies that should be a part of your integrated citrus pest management:
“Predators: Predators are the organisms that hunt, kill and consume their prey. Predatory insects, spiders and mites significantly suppress citrus pests. As generalists, they can consume a wide range of pest species. They may feed on any or all stages of a pest and complete their life cycle on a single prey type.
Predatory groups — such as lacewings, spiders, syrphid flies, mites, assassin bugs, etc. — also colonize citrus groves and consume psyllids, aphids, leafminers, mites, scales and other pests. In recent years, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have observed three species of lacewings and 29 species of phytoseiid mites in Florida citrus groves, most of which have predatory potential against multiple pests. Five species of phytoseiid mites were also observed in citrus under protective screen (CUPS).”
“Parasitoids: Parasitoids are tiny wasps that attack different life stages of a pest (egg, nymph or larvae). Most parasitoids are specialists against specific pests. Several pests of citrus — such as ACP, CLM, scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, root weevils, etc. — are attacked by parasitoids, which are indigenous to Florida or introduced from other regions of the world and established.
For example, the Tamarixia radiata parasitoid of ACP, introduced from Asia, is now well established in Florida and is being augmented through mass-rearing facilities. Researchers have observed 30% to 40% or more parasitism of ACP nymphs by this parasitoid. Feral populations of several parasitoids suppressing CLM, mealybugs and scales have also been observed in recent years, including in CUPS, suggesting their significant role in pest suppression.”
“Entomopathogenic Fungi: Entomopathogenic fungi also regulate multiple pests of citrus. Hirsutella citriformis, which commonly attacks ACP, is not available commercially. Recently, a lower incidence of Hirsutella-infected ACP has been observed in citrus groves than a decade ago, possibly due to the heavy use of insecticides against ACP in previous years. Commercially available Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps fumosorosea effectively suppress mealybugs and ACP.”
Considerations for Pest Management
So how does a citrus grower utilize these natural enemies as part of their pest management? The article maintains that “The contributions of natural enemies, along with other factors, largely depend on the use of insecticides, which negatively impacts them. Therefore, the selection of products and the timing of application are critical.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.