Biological Control Program for the red gum lerp psyllid

The Red Gum Lerp Psyllid in California

Parasitoid Natural Enemies of the Lerp Psyllid Now in Quarantine at U. C. Berkeley, September 1, 1999

Dr. Dahlsten has returned from Australia with parasitoids of the lerp psyllid. They were collected on several species of Eucalyptus in 3 areas: north of Sydney in New South Wales, Melbourne in Victoria , and Adelaide in South Australia.

The parasitoids (which appear to be of at least three species) from these three regions are now being evaluated in the College of Natural Resources Quarantine Facility, U. C. Berkeley.

The Quarantine Facility has airtight double containment doors and is designed to prevent accidental and unauthorized release of imported insects. The parasitoids will be reared here through one generation and identified before permits are granted that will allow us to release them in several California field sites. Quarantine door with L. Schmidt, Quarantine Officer

parasitized nymph and lerp Dr. Dahlsten found and collected lerp psyllids which had been parasitized by tiny wasps. These parasitoids lay eggs in the psyllid nymphs; the eggs hatch and the larvae develop inside the nymph. They then emerge as adult wasps.

parasitoid of red gum lerp psyllid

This parasitoid wasp is a yet to be identified species of Psyllaephagus. These wasps are tiny and harmless to humans.

One of the tiny parasitoid adults with a dime for scale

capsule with rglp nymph and emerged parasitod
Each parasitized lerp psyllid nymph collected was shipped in a small capsule. The wasp adult has emerged from this nymph.

sleave cages for rearing parasitoids

Wasps from each area are being reared on California field-collected psyllid nymphs on red gum foliage in these three cages.

Read the U. C. Berkeley Press Release on the discovery of these insects HERE.

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The Quarantine Facility has airtight double containment doors and is designed to prevent accidental and unauthorized release of imported insects. The parasitoids will be reared here through one generation and identified before permits are granted that will allow us to release them in several California field sites.
	Dr. Dahlsten found and collected lerp psyllids which had been parasitized by tiny wasps. These parasitoids lay eggs in the psyllid nymphs; the eggs hatch and the larvae develop inside the nymph. They then emerge as adult wasps.
This parasitoid wasp is a yet to be identified species of Psyllaephagus. These wasps are tiny and harmless to humans.	One of the tiny parasitoid adults with a dime for scale
Each parasitized lerp psyllid nymph collected was shipped in a small capsule. The wasp adult has emerged from this nymph.	Wasps from each area are being reared on California field-collected psyllid nymphs on red gum foliage in these three cages.