Vibrational Trapping and Interference with Mating of Diaphorina citri

Abstract

Microcontroller-platform devices have been constructed that detect Diaphorina citri male vibrational communication calls and broadcast mimics of female vibrational replies. The devices successfully interfere with mating of virgin pairs of Diaphorina citri in 1-h tests on citrus trees, reducing the mating percentage significantly from 57% in the control to 13% in disruption tests. Video and audio monitoring of searching behaviors in laboratory bioassays indicate that males are attracted to the source of the female reply mimics. The percentage of mating may be reduced by the following: (1) interference of a louder and earlier reply mimic more attractive to the male than the female reply; (2) masking of the female reply by the louder mimic; or (3) reduction of female responsiveness in the presence of other female replies, or combinations thereof. In male D. citri trapping bioassays, the device has successfully trapped 45% of males stimulated to initiate search behavior in 1-h tests on citrus trees. Positive and negative effects of social, flush-seeking, and phototactic behaviors of males and females are discussed that may affect the utility of these devices in field applications. In addition, potential applications are discussed for low-cost, modified microcontroller-platform devices that discriminate insect-produced feeding and movement vibrations from background noise in field studies.