D3466: Biological control of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas using the ectoparasitoid, Tamarixia radiata

Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is a biological control agent of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), that is being used as a tool to help reduce psyllid vector populations in urban environments of citrus and consequent reduction of sources of inoculum to commercial growing areas in Texas. The USDA APHIS PPQ S&T Insect Management & Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory has developed methods to produce large numbers of the beneficial insects for the biological control of ACP. Releases were made in citrus trees where plant tissue testing positive for HLB has been detected. In 2010, before we began our releases, we were detecting up to 43 immature psyllids per flush in residential citrus. Since the biological control releases began, we have mass produced over 16.8 million parasitoids for release in various locations. In Texas, we have seen the vector populations gradually decline. The latest finds in 2023 indicate we are observing < 4 immature psyllids per flush. This is a reduction of over 90% of the psyllid population.