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Parasitoid wasp controls blue gum psyllid
Authors
David L. RowneyWilliam A. Copper
Richard L. Tassan
William E. Chaney
Priscilla Lane
Mary Bianchi
Karen L. Robb
Steven Tjosvold
Donald L. Dahlsten
Authors Affiliations
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; P. Lane is Entomologist, Sonoma County Department of Agriculture; M. Bianchi, 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; D.L. Dahlsten is Professor, Staff Research Associates, College of Natural Resources, Center for Biological Control, UC Berkeley.Publication Information
Hilgardia 52(1):31-34. DOI:10.3733/ca.v052n01p31. January 1998.
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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
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