Development of a push-and-pull strategy with volatiles of host and non-host plants for the control of pear psyllids

Abstract: Pear psyllids are responsible for transmitting the pathogen ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’, causing the pear decline disease. The identification of specific semiochemicals, e. g., repellent and attractive, are a potential method for controlling this pest and reducing the spreading of phytoplasma pear in orchards. However, little is known about the chemical ecology of these insects. In this present work, we tested the antennal and behavioral reactions of C. pyri to host odors and evaluated the repellent and host-odor masking activity of two essential oils in the laboratory. Additionally, we developed nanofibers-based volatiles dispensers and evaluated their performance in bioassays and in the field.