insectcritical severity

Citrus Psylla

Diaphorina citri

How to Identify

âš Curling of new leaves
âš Honeydew and sooty mold
âš Vector for citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing)

Peak season: New flush periods (multiple per year)

3-Tier Organic Treatment Ladder

Always start with Tier 1. Move to higher tiers only if lower tiers fail. This approach preserves beneficial insects and keeps costs low.

1

Tier 1: Preventive

Yellow sticky traps

When: Hang at crop height, 1 per 5 m²

Ladybird beetles protection

When: Never spray when ladybirds present — they eat 400 aphids/day

Use resistant varieties

When: At variety selection

Raised bed planting with good drainage

When: At field preparation

Yellow sticky traps

When: Preventive

Protect ladybird beetle populations

When: Avoid broad-spectrum sprays unnecessarily

Yellow sticky traps

When: During new flush emergence

2

Tier 2: Early Treatment

Neem seed kernel extract 5%

When: Spray when population exceeds 10/leaf

Soap solution 2%

When: Insecticidal soap spray on colonies

Bacillus subtilis soil drench

When: Preventive at planting

Neem oil 2% spray

When: Weekly when population exceeds threshold

Neem oil spray

When: At new flush stage

3

Tier 3: Emergency Intervention

Tobacco decoction 2%

When: Severe infestation, spray in evening

Tobacco decoction spray

When: Severe infestation

Beauveria bassiana

When: Severe infestation

Prevention — Best Long-term Strategy

✓Remove citrus greening-infected trees immediately (no cure)
✓Manage flush timing