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ACACIA PSYLLID Acizzia uncatoides (Ferris &
Klyver)-- Homoptera, Psyllidae (Contacts) CLICK on Photo to enlarge & search for Subject Matter with Ctrl/F. GO TO ALL: Bio-Control Cases First discovered in California in
1955, the acacia psyllid increased its abundance on roadside acacias by 1971
to a level where the California Department of Transportation contracted the
Division of Biological Control, University of California, Berkeley for
assistance (Pinnock et al. 1978, Dahlsten & Hall 1999). Explorations for natural enemies were
begun in the native home of the pysllid in Australia. Four coccinellids, a green lacewing (Chrysopa sp., dispar group), and two parasitoids
were found in the state of Victoria and sent to California. Thousands of these natural enemies were
reared and released throughout California (Dahlsten & Hall 1999).
One coccinellid, Diomus pumilio
Weise, and egg predators, became well established resulting in
significant reductions of the acacia psyllid (Pinnock et al. 1978). Dahlsten and Hall (1999) reported that the
acacia psyllid remains under good control in California, but that there are no
publications referring to the project.
They also point out that one interesting aspect of the project was
that an exotic coccinellid species, Harmonia conformis (Boisduval), that was brought into
California did not become established.
However, when introduced to Hawaii from California, H. conformis controlled the psyllid in the koa tree forests
(Pinnock et al. 1978). Diomus pumilio which did well in California did not control the
psyllid in Hawaii, showing the apparent importance of environment on
establishment. REFERENCES: [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL
Library ] Dahlsten, D.
L. & R. W. Hall. 1999.
Biological control of insects in outdoor urban environments. In: Bellows, T. S. & T. W. Fisher (eds.), Handbook of Biological Control:
Principles and Applications.
Academic Press, San Diego, New York.
1046 p Pinnock, D. E., K. S. Hagen, D. V. Cassidy, R.
J. Brand, J. E. Milstead & R. L. Tassan.
1978. Integrated pest
management in highway landscapes.
Calif. Agric. 32(2): 33-34. |