Parasitoid shows potential for biocontrol of eugenia psyllid

Abstract

The eugenia psyllid has become a major pest of eugenia, a commonly used ornamental plant in the coastal counties of California. Attempts to control this insect with insecticides have been only partially successful. A biological control program was initiated at Disneyland in Southern California in 1991. A monitoring procedure has been developed and a eulophid parasitoid, Tamarixia n. sp., was introduced from Australia in July 1992. Initial results inidicate that the parasitoid has become established and has spread widely in a short period of time. Sampling shows a correlation between numbers of psyllids and parasitoids and a post-release decrease in the number of psyllids.