Soil Injection of Insecticides for Control of Citrus Blackfly in Dooryard Citrus

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Abstract
The effects of 3 soil injected systemic insecticides were studied for control of both high and low density A. woglumi Ashby infestations on citrus in an urban environment. Acephate injected at 3 rates provided acceptable levels of control while oxydemetonmethyl and dimethoate did not produce significant control. Presence of acephate and its metabolite methamidophos in citrus leaves was confirmed through the use of temperature programmed gas chromatography. Aggregated field mortality data suggested that the soil injection approach would be more consistent with developing management strategies rather than as a component of more absolute goals such as eradication. Lack of spray drift and the highly localized nature of application makes soil injection a potentially valuable insect management tool in highly urbanized environments.