Evaluating acephate and azadirachtin for control of Psyllopsis discrepans (Flor) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and prevention of decline of ash trees

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, ash trees (Oleaceae) in parts of the western United States of America and Canada have been subject to infestations with the psyllid Psyllopsis discrepans (Flor) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Infested trees show a series of symptoms, including pseudogalls, canopy loss, and in many cases, tree death. This is an expensive problem for urban forests, particularly in the context of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Dutch elm disease (Ophiostomataceae), which also impact the diversity of urban forests. This paper presents results from a study on the efficacy of two tree-injected insecticides, Orthene® (acephate) and TreeAzin® (azadirachtin). Trees were treated with these insecticides, and egg and adult psyllids were counted. In addition, canopy cover and severity of pseudogalling were visually assessed. Orthene reduced canopy loss and severity and amount of pseudogalling compared to what occurred on control trees; however, there were more eggs on Orthene-treated trees, indicating that any potential benefit was offset by higher egg counts after treatment. Due to the rapid decline of the ash trees, TreeAzin could not be successfully injected.