Biological Controls Show Promise for Asian Citrus Psyllid in California

University of California, Riverside, entomologist Mark Hoddle believes that biological controls can help prevent a citrus-industry catastrophe in California from citrus greening, reports Western Farm Press. Although insecticide programs have not managed to control the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) that spreads the disease, releases of parasitic wasps have been effective at reducing ACP numbers. Hoddle has discovered that syrphid fly species likely native to California seem even more effective at controlling ACP populations by consuming nymphs and that their populations can be supported with plantings of alyssum.