A cure for Asian citrus psyllid? USDA in CA hopes so!

Tamarixia Radiata Safe To Use For Citrus Disease Control

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is an invasive pest that carries citrus greening disease which kills trees within a few years of infection.

There was no cure, until now. Or at least, that’s what the USDA hopes for in its effort to fight the disease in California.

Tamarixia radiata

History

♦ In 2005, ACP devastated Florida’s $9 billion citrus crop.
♦ In 2008, ACP came to California.
♦ The state of California has more citrus trees in residential areas than on farms. That says something for a state with over 250,000 acres of commercial citrus groves.

Solution

Technicians at the CDFA insectary collect baby wasps (Photo – Steven Jackson–NPR)

Instead of relying on chemicals and quarantines, farmers and scientists in California are turning to an unlikely ally: a tiny wasp called Tamarixia radiata. It is half the size of a chocolate sprinkle. It’s an effective killer of psyllids.

It poses no threat to the environment, humans or pets.

The USDA said it would set aside  $1.5 million to scale up breeding and release efforts in California (plus Texas and Florida).

> California agriculture researchers are currently producing about 10,000 wasps a week. They aim to produce about 1 million a year.