Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina Citri (Kuwayama)

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, poses a significant threat to citrus crops worldwide as a vector of the devastating citrus greening disease. Classical biological control efforts have focused on 2 parasitoid species, i.e. Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencytrus aligarhensis. T. radiata, native to south east Asia, has been successfully introduced and established in several countries, including Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Taiwan, California and Florida, leading to notable reductions in D. citri populations. D. aligarhensis, native to East Asia, has also been imported and released in Reunion Island, Taiwan and Florida, but with less success due to competition with T. radiata. T. radiata demonstrates higher effectiveness and establishment rates, attributed in part to lower rates of hyperparasitism compared to D. aligarhensis. Predatory beetles, such as Olla v-nigrum, Harmonia axyridis and Curinus coeruleus have also shown promise in suppressing D. citri populations. Additionally, fungal entomopathogens, such as Isaria fumosorosea and Hirsutella citriformis have demonstrated potential for biological control in citrus orchards. These biological control agents offer promising strategies for managing D. citri and reducing the spread of citrus greening disease.