The following treatment protocols have been developed for Ventura County commercial citrus growers by Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell of the University of California’s Kearney Agricultural Center, in collaboration with local pest-control advisers and applicators.

The goal of the treatment strategy in Ventura County is to achieve local eradication, keep the pest from spreading to other areas and  forestall establishment of ACP for as long as possible. For maximum effect, the strategy requires the use of broad-spectrum, long-residual materials, which is why pyrethroid insecticides are recommended.  Whether conventional or organic, coordinated and timely treatment of all properties within a treatment zone is necessary to achieve an “area effect” and prevent insects in untreated groves from repopulating neighboring groves that have been treated.

Note: The current treatment zone extends 800 meters from any ACP detection site. In the event that your grove falls within a treatment zone, you will be contacted by the Task Force’s Grower Liaison (taskforce@farmbureauvc.com), who is responsible for confirming that treatment has been completed. Ventura County packinghouses will not pick or pack fruit from affected orchards until that confirmation has been received. Upon completion of treatment, the grove owner or manager must notify the Grower Liaison by email, providing the ranch name, treatment date, crop, acres treated, materials used, and the rate and spray volume.

Conventional spray program within Asian citrus psyllid treatment zones

Ventura County commercial citrus

1. Within 14 days after being notified that your property is within an ACP treatment zone, apply a single combined treatment of a pyrethroid (such as Baythroid Danitol, Leverage, Mustang or Tombstone) and the foliar systemic Movento. The pyrethroid provides a quick knockdown with high adult mortality, and the systemic activity of the Movento gives residual control on any subsequent nymphal hatch, affecting two generations of ACP.
2. If the single combined treatment cannot be used, then apply two separate foliar applications approximately 30 days apart, with the first treatment being applied within 14 days of notification. Use a single-broad spectrum pyrethroid material first. For the second treatment, use either a broad or soft material from the table below.
3. Spray volume should be a minimum of 200 gallons per acre; spray volume on younger trees can be proportionately lower. Although not preferred, application by helicopter may be allowed by the Grower Liaison  where conditions of the treatment site preclude ground treatment.
4. Soil-applied systemic neonicotinoids such as Admire and Platinum are not readily taken up into trees from the heavy clay soils of Ventura County, and so are not counted as effective ACP treatments.
5. In the winter, when Movento is unlikely to perform up to its potential because of limited foliar uptake, a single treatment with a foliar pyrethroid is acceptable. (Consult the Grower Liaison for seasonal start and cutoff dates.)

ACP-effective insecticides for second treatment

Materials in red are broad-spectrum, and have greater effect and/or last longer than softer materials shown in black. Avoid using an insecticide with the same mode of action more than once a year. Although registered for use in citrus, some of these materials do not list Asian citrus psyllid on their label. Check the MRL status of each product you may use for the countries where your fruit may be marketed.

Organic Spray Program within Asian citrus psyllid treatment zones

Ventura County Commercial Citrus

1. Apply three separate spray applications, seven to 10 days apart, of Pyganic insecticide in combination with an organically approved oil surfactant. The first treatment should be applied within seven days after being notified that your property is within an ACP treatment zone.
2. The use rate for each spray of Pyganic is 64 ounces per acre if the EC 1.4% material is used and 18 ounces per acre if the EC 5.0% material is used.
3. Add oil at a minimum rate of 0.25% per 100 gallons of spray volume.
4. Spray volume should be a minimum of 200 gallons per acre; spray volume on younger trees can be proportionately lower.
5. All blocks must be aggressively monitored following applications, using the sampling protocol below. Sample every two weeks after third treatment.
6. Additional applications must be made immediately upon discovery of any live ACP.