I just received a notice from LSUagcenter recommending to be on the look out for heavy evidence of Sooty Mold. It seems that the culprit is the Citrus Black Fly. It states that Malathion and oil have no control on this problem.
This is a new bug for commercial Citrus.
Karl

What type of sooty mold?

Sooty molds are caused by aphids and scales which in turn are herded and protected by ants.

Simply control the ants, and introduce aphid predators like lady bugs and mantids, and you will ultimately control sooty mold. And we already know that ants can't be controlled by malathion and oils, they simply wait it out, then place a fresh batch of aphids and scales that they keep.

I am open to possibilities of super sooty mold and super ants.

Must be "new to commercial citrus" in Louisiana, specifically. The citrus blackfly has been in Florida since 1976. When we got it, many predicted the end of the industry, and certainly, I don't know of an insect that can do more damage in less time, through it's massive production of honeydew, which then causes the tree to become covered with dense black sooty mold. But then the State brought in a couple of parasites from Mexico, one of which really liked the climate and thrived. Today, we can always find a leaf or two with blackflies, if needed for a demo or a class, but they do no significant damage. The parasite holds the population at less than 1 percent of its potential level. Most trees have no blackflies at all, at any given time.

So the State of Louisiana can easily get parasites from Florida. The question, then, will be -- will they like your climate and be able to maintain their populations, particularly in your cooler winters.

Joe
Here is a little more info. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/environment/insects/bugs_bugs_bugs/bugs+bugs+bugs+october+2007.htm