Parasitoid wasp controls blue gum psyllid

Dahlsten, D; Rowney, D; Copper, W; Tassan, R; Chaney, W; Robb, K; Tjosvold, S; Bianchi, M; Lane, P

Parasitoid wasp controls blue gum psyllid

Authors

Donald L. Dahlsten
David L. Rowney
William A. Copper
Richard L. Tassan
William E. Chaney
Karen L. Robb
Steven Tjosvold
Mary Bianchi
Priscilla Lane

Authors Affiliations

D.L. Dahlsten is Professor, Staff Research Associates, College of Natural Resources, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley; D.L. Rowney is Biostatistician Staff Research Associates, College of Natural Resources, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley; W.A. Copper, Staff Research Associates, College of Natural Resources, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley; R.L. Tassan are Staff Research Associates, College of Natural Resources, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley; W.E. Chaney, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey, San Diego, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties; K.L. Robb, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey, San Diego, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties; S. Tjosvold, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey, San Diego, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties; M. Bianchi, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey, San Diego, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties; P. Lane is Entomologist, Sonoma County Department of Agriculture.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 52(1):31-34. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n01p31. January 1998.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

The blue gum psyllid was first discovered in North America in Monterey County in January 1991. Since then it has quickly spread throughout the California coastal area and has became a major pest on Eucalyptus palverulenta in commercial foliage plantations. Large amounts of pesticides have been used to control the psyllid in these plantations. A primary parasitoid wasp, Psyllaephagus pilosus Noyes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), was found in Australia and New Zealand and released at eight sites in California in spring/summer 1993. As a result, psyllid populations declined somewhat at most sites in 1993, and in 1994 psyllids were no longer a problem. The parasitoid has spread rapidly to other coastal areas.

References

Alma A, Arzone A. Reperti biologici su Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Maskell) (Homoptera Psylloidea). Atti XV Congr naz ital Ent, L'Aquila 1988. pp.505-12.

Azevedo F, Figo ML. Ctenarytaina eucalypti Mask (Homoptera, Psyllidae). Bol Serv Plagas. 1979. 5:41-6.

Cadahia D. Proximidad de dos nuevos enemigos de los Eucalyptus en Espana. Bol Serv Plagas. 1980. 6:165-192.

Cadahia D. Importance des insectes ravageurs de l'eucalyputs en region mediterraneenne. Bulletin OEPP. 1986. 16:265-83.

Cadahia D, Ruperez A. Reparticion de Ctenarytaina eucalypti Mask en Espana. Bol Serv Plagas. 1979. 5:55-8.

Gilli R. California plant pest and disease report. California Department of Food and Agriculture 1991. 10:p.57.

Martinez M. Possibilite d'introduction en France de deux insectes ravageurs specifiques des Eucalyptus: Phoracantha semipunctata [Col Cerambycidae] et Ct [Hom. Psyllidae]. L'Entomolgiste. 1983. 39:53-7. PubMed PMID: 18335563

Morgan FD. Handbook of the flora and fauna of South Australia. 1984. 136. Psylloidea of South Australia. Government Printer, South Australia.

Taylor KL. The tribe Ctenarytainini (Hemiptera: Psylloidea): A key to the known Australian genera, with new species and two new genera. Invertebr Taxon. 1990. 4:95-121. https://doi.org/10.1071/IT9900095

Wilson F. Australia as a source of beneficial insects for biological control. Technical Communication No. 3 1963. Curepe, Trinidad: Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control. 18.

Also in this issue:

Environmentally related restrictions on the timber harvesting capability of a national forest: A case study

Times and programs change, but Division carries on tradition of public service

“City Bugs” website turns teens into taxonomists

UC trains welfare recipients

Science Briefs: Bison disease still threatens cattle

Bats can pack a punch in pest control

Bats feed on crop pests in Sacramento Valley

Media campaigns promote driver safety for farmworkers

New crop coefficients estimate water use of vegetables, row crops

Earlier irrigation cutoff for sugarbeets conserves water

Water turbulence disrupts accuracy of some flow meters

Biological control of the blue gum psyllid proves economically beneficial