Asian Citrus Psyllid
Bi-National Partnership for the Biological Control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid along with the Mexico Border 2018
The collaborative project with APHIS-PPQ, APHIS-IS, and SENASICA was established to provide parasitoids (Tamarixia radiata) for release in Mexico and evaluate results of those releases.
The objective for the Center for Vector-Borne Disease provides Mexico with 50,000 parasitoids per month for field release in Mexico and continue to evaluate the establishment and impact of T. radiata and monitor populations of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP). Improving methods developed for mass production to increase parasitoid yields is one of the main objectives.
Biological Control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in Texas 2018
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) granted UTRGV funding to assist in supporting the evaluation of biological control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). The objective is to increase mass production levels and release numbers of Tamarixia radiata (T. radiata) at release sites in the LRGV. Continued evaluation of the establishment and impact of T. radiata and monitoring the population of Asian Citrus Psyllid and provide technical support to private industry and citrus growing states.
Assessing the Impact of Entomopathogens for Integrated Biological Control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas 2018
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) granted funding to UTRGV to support the evaluation of biological control of the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. UTRGV will assess and identify commercially available, fungal pathogens that naturally attack Asian Citrus Psyllid in the selected area, but have never been tested. Additionally, determines pathogen performance under laboratory conditions such as virulence and will document the efficiency (mass production and shelf-life) of said pathogens in the production process. Develops field application methods to enabled in the field and its field-life under the Lower Rio Grande Valley conditions. Finally, it will integrate the similarities and contrast of the pathogen(s) biological control program in the presence and absence of T. radiata and monitor the populations of the ACP.