Data from: Screening sticky cards as a simple method for improving efficiency of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) monitoring and reducing non-target organisms

Management of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) populations
is one of the major strategies for reducing the spread and incidence of
huanglongbing (HLB). HLB is putatively caused by Candidatus Liberibacter
spp. (Rhizobiales: Phyllopbacteriaceae) that are transmitted to citrus by
psyllid vectors. Diaphorina citri population monitoring is done to detect
its presence and inform on management decisions. Various methods are used
for detecting and estimating D. citri densities but trapping with yellow
or lime-green sticky cards has proven to be the most effective method.
These sticky cards rely on the color preference of adult D. citri, but
many flying organisms are attracted to the same color spectrum as
psyllids. Hence, in field situations, sticky traps are hampered by large
numbers of bycatches of nontarget organisms and debris. Here, we described
a method using a mesh laid on the surface of traps as a sift to catch
mainly psyllids, while reducing bycatches. By filtering D. citri through
this mesh, they can be counted more rapidly and accurately. Although
mesh-covered traps captured 5–15% less D. citri relative to uncovered ACP
traps, both types of traps statistically agreed on D. citri detection and
population densities. The effectiveness of mesh-covered traps did not vary
with season. In addition, mesh-covered traps eliminated >90% of
nontarget organisms and allowed for quicker enumeration of D. citri. We
expect this method will become an important component of redesigning
integrated pest management programs in citrus groves by reducing
unintended impacts of beneficial arthropods during large scale D. citri
monitoring.