Dr. Frank Byrne is an Associate Researcher with the Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside.  He is conducting neonicotinoid uptake research trials at Lindcove REC, to test the efficacy of these systemic pesticides as a control measure for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP).  Neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid can be applied directly to the soil, injected into irrigation drip lines, sprayed onto tree trunks, or placed as slow-release tablets into greenhouse pots as shown here.  The tree takes up the insecticide and moves it into new leaves, which is important for killing nymphal stages of the psyllid.  This project is in its third year of testing and includes leaf collections from outdoor and indoor trials to determine the efficacy of the treatments, as well as nectar collections during bloom to determine the impact of neonicotinoids on bees.  Dr. Byrne is assisted by Richard Aubert (left) and Tim Roose (center), also from UC Riverside.