U.S.: Cal Poly takes natural approach to stamping out HLB vector

Cal Poly Pomona is using biological controls in an attempt to better tackle the problem of Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), the pest that spreads citrus greening disease. 

While the pest is in containment zones in parts of California and the disease – also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) – has not wrought havoc there yet, it has been very damaging in Florida and other parts of the world such as Brazil.

Abc7.com reported Cal Poly Pomona researchers were breeding sting-less wasps in a greenhouse to help contain ACP populations.

“Parasitic insects will eat the insects that carry the disease or feed on the insects that carry the disease and minimize the problem in that manner,” Cal Poly Pomona professor Valerie Mellano was quoted as saying.

The wasps in question are ‘Tamarixia, which feed on the pest and “go where pesticides cannot”, the broadcaster reported.

“There are a lot of people that have citrus trees in their backyards. It’s very hard to control with pesticides from the point of view of gaining access,” Mellano was quoted as saying.

Grace Radabaugh of the California Department of Food and Agriculture said the plan was to release 30,000 wasps in Southern California, the story reported.