Bayer, Fundecitrus produce wasps for biological control of psyllid Diaphorina citri

With the support of Bayer CropScience, the Laboratory of Biological Control of the Defense Fund of Citrus (Fundecitrus) in Brazil completed the production of 1,025,355 Tamarixia radiata wasps in December.

Tamarixia radiata wasps is a natural enemy that biologically controls the Diaphorina citri psylideo, the transmitter of HLB (huanglongbing/greening).

The biofactory was installed in an area of 342 square meters in the municipality of Araraquara, state of São Paulo, and has the capacity to produce up to 100,000 units per month.

“The goal of Fundecitrus is to contribute towards sustainable management of HLB, and find a natural way to reduce the population of psyllid and, consequently, reduce the necessity of spraying on the groves,” affirms biologist Ana Carolina Pires Veiga, head of the laboratory.

Tamarixia radiata uses the nymphs of psyllid for reproduction, killing it in the preliminary stage. Each one could be eliminated by up to 500 nymphs. The release into the natural environment does not cause an ecological imbalance, as the wasp does not reach other species of insects or plants.

The wasps are released in areas with citrus and myrtle that do not have chemical control, such as abandoned groves, urban spaces, farms and sites. The locals are determined by the system of Phytosanitary Alert of Fundecitrus, which monitors the population of psyllid in the agricultural park. The releases are made throughout the year, since there are no nymphs of psyllid and covering the 2,420 hectares.

The partnership between the Laboratory of Biological Control of Fundecitrus and Bayer Crop Science hopes to achieve the goal of developing new products and sustainable technologies. Nearly R$460,000 worth of investments were made for the implementation and maintenance of the project.