- Author: Therese Kapaun
- Editor: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
Field trials evaluating the systemic uptake of neonicotinoid insecticides into citrus trees are in their third year of evaluation at Lindcove REC. Dr. Frank Byrne (right) and Richard Aubert (left) from the Department of Entomology (UC Riverside) are mixing up a batch of Belay insecticide to be applied to mature Parent navel orange trees. One strategy is to apply the insecticide under the tree as a soil drench and another strategy is to apply it as a trunk spray. Belay, which is not yet registered for citrus, is in the neonicotinoid class of insecticides, which are recommended insecticides for control of Asian citrus psyllid. Dr. Byrne is comparing the two methods of application to see how they affect the rate of uptake of the chemical and what level of protection from the Asian citrus psyllid is imparted to the tree.