Gulf Citrus Health Management Area (CHMA)

Dr. Phil Stansly and Xulin Chen

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.

Latest (3 Cycle) Maps

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) whether or not you find it useful and what improvement you would like to see.

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2016 Updates Archives