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ViewAttendees 8

Member Symposium

Current Advances in Acarology

8: Mitigation strategies against Brevipalpus yothersi in preparation for a potential incursion of citrus leprosis

On-Demand
On-Demand
Citrus leprosis is a serious viral disease of citrus transmitted by Brevipalpus mites (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). The disease is present in South America, Central America, and Mexico, but not in the United States. One of its primary vectors, however, is present in Florida and other southern states. Non-viruliferous Brevipalpus yothersi are present in Florida and could facilitate the spread of the disease if citrus leprosis viruses (CiLVs) are introduced into the state. In preparation for the possible incursion of CiLVs we: 1) determined the host range of B. yothersi in south Florida, 2) developed a hot-water immersion postharvest treatment for lemons against B. yothersi, 3) evaluated the biological control potential of four predatory mite species that are naturally associated with Brevipalpus spp. in citrus, 4) evaluated biorational acaricides to control B. yothersi,  and 5) determined the compatibility between the most effective predatory mites and biorational acaricides. Brevipalpus yothersi has a broad host range, including citrus and non-citrus hosts. Hot-water immersion could be a key component in a systems approach to control B. yothersi on imported citrus fruits from countries where citrus leprosis is present. Our results show that Amblysieus largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) could be an efficient biological control agent of B. yothersi and is compatible with the use of paraffinic oils that proved highly effective in controlling this mite. Our results suggest that biological control could play an important role in citrus IPM programs tailored to manage citrus leprosis.