The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry, will be conducting the Asian Citrus Psyllid Biological Control Homeowner Access Event.  This event will take place on August 14th at 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Extension office in Fort Pierce.  The Asian citrus psyllid is a major pest vector for a serious citrus disease commonly called citrus greening.  A biological control agent for the Asian citrus psyllid called Tamarixia radiata will be available for a limited number of homeowners who pre-register in advance. Register HERE.

If you currently have a citrus tree or are looking to buy a new one, you should be aware of a disease called citrus greening (a.k.a.Huanglongbing or HLB).  According to UF/IFAS EDIS, this disease is one of the most destructive diseases of citrus. Nearly all varieties of citrus are susceptible.  Infected trees start showing chlorotic leaf patterns, heavy leaf drop with dieback occurring in severe cases. Fruit can fall prematurely while some exhibit abnormal coloration. The citrus greening bacteria are transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid.

So what exactly are Tamarixia radiata and how can this insect help homeowners? UF EDIS Publication “An Asian Citrus Psyllid Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)” explains that this biological control agent is a parasitoid on Asian citrus psyllids.  Studies show rapid establishment in new areas such as Florida. Homeowners participating in this Access Event will learn about citrus care and greening, along with use of Tamarixia as a biological control agent. They will also receive Tamarixia if they currently have citrus infected with greening or are planning to buy a new citrus tree.

UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Extension Agents, working in conjunction with entomologists in the FDACS Division of Plant Industries Pérez Lab, will have these Tamarixia biological control agents during our Asian Citrus Psyllid Biological Control Homeowner Access Event. This program is available on a first come, first served basis. The cost is free-0f-charge, but registration is required. For additional information, please contact Dr. Amir Rezazadeh at amir2558@ufl.edu.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean and Director. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.

UF/IFAS Extension program team: Rezazadeh, A.(Lead), Gioeli, K., and Schuchman, E.

FDACS DPI Pérez Lab : Perez Cordero, L.

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References

An Asian Citrus Psyllid Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) [UF EDIS EENY 475] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN858

Citrus Problems in the Home Landscape. [UF EDIS HS876] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS141

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