Gulf CHMA
Phil Stansly and Moneen Jones
The Gulf CHMA (citrus health management area) is going into its 5th season of cooperative
action to control Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). During the first (2008-09) season
we saw how effective an area wide dormant spray could be in providing global suppression
of ACP. During the 2009-10 season, we added a second dormant pre-Christmas spray
and were again pleased with the results. During the 2010-11 and 2012 seasons, we
repeated the 2-dormant spray plan. The most effective ACP spray of the year is the
one put on in mid-winter so it’s important to get it right. Therefore, growers should
either plan for the second dormant spray to go on by 15 January or be ready to get
a spray out within 3 weeks of a hard freeze. Clearly 2 sprays a year are not enough
and it was always the intention that growers would fill in during the rest of the
year depending on needs and budgets.
To assist in that planning we provide here example spray schedules that can be used
as a planning guides.
During the fourth (2011-2012) season we began providing GULF CHMA updates and interactive
maps showing ACP levels and “hot spots” on this website. We are currently working
on the design of a spray app that will suggest optimal sprays for a grower to use
when faced with multiple pest issues. These data will be developed into a map layer
for the purpose of better monitoring the efficacy of our Gulf CHMA program.
Average ACP Per Cycle Map
The map below is an interactive map designed to show results of the last 5 psyllid
monitoring cycles for the Gulf CHMA. The ring color designates the cycle and the
ring size the number of psyllid adults per 50 taps. The largest ring represents
psyllid numbers of 21 or greater. Please download and follow the instructions for
opening your map using Adobe Reader.
The map allows you to click on and off different cycle layers and view data for
Cycle #, Cycle Date, County Name, Multiblock ID, and ACP #.
This map will be updated as scouting progresses, and you’ll be able to compare ACP
numbers from a variety of Cycles and Dates. Let us know (pstansly@ufl.edu,
mmjones2@ufl.edu) whether or not you find
it useful and what improvement you would like to see.