Aerial Application

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The Asian citrus psyllid is a tiny insect that damages all varieties of citrus by feeding on new leaf growth and transmits a plant pathogenic bacterium that is responsible for a destructive citrus disease known as huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. In Florida’s citrus groves, management of HLB depends primarily on controlling ACP with regular pesticide applications. 

Fire ants impact agriculture in a number of ways. They form hardened mounds in clay-type soil tall enough to damage field equipment and slow down operations. Ants defending mounds can sting and cause medical problems for field workers. Aerial application has been found to be an effective source of management for this issue. 

Wide area treatment is the best and only practical means of suppressing the mosquito population and disease transmission. Aerial applications help to blunt the further spread of viruses caused by mosquitos.  

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) must be controlled on processing and fresh-market fruit. PFD, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum acutatum, affects all species and cultivars of citrus, but severity on a given cultivar varies according to the time of bloom in relation to rainfall. Navel and Valencia oranges have experienced the most severe damage in Florida because they tend to have extended or multiple blooms. Ground and aerial applications are effective for the control of PFD.