What’s Growing: Citrus greening wasp control

Many homeowners have suffered the loss of citrus trees to citrus greening. To help battle the insect vector that spreads the disease, you can ask the state to release a wasp that will aid in control.

Citrus greening is a serious and devastating plant disease. Also known as huanglongbing or yellow dragon disease, it is carried by Asian citrus psyllids, small insects that feed on citrus trees and carry the bacteria that cause citrus greening.

When other psyllids feed on an infected tree, they pick up the bacteria and spread it to more trees. There is no known cure for infected trees, and most die within a few years of becoming infected. A common symptom of citrus greening is partially green fruit, fruit that tastes salty or bitter, and yellow veins in the tree’s leaves.

Out of all the states that grow citrus trees, Florida has suffered the most from citrus greening. Asian citrus psyllids first arrived in 1998, and the first signs of citrus greening appeared in 2005. Since the disease’s first appearance, it has destroyed 90,000 commercial acres of trees in Florida, including lemon, orange and grapefruit trees.

After witnessing the devastating effects of the disease in the Southeast, researchers and growers in Arizona and California have been desperately trying to find the solution to this problem. They have discovered that a species of parasitic wasp, the Tamarixia radiata, may be the answer. The wasps, which are imported from Pakistan, are less than a millimeter long.

Tamarixia wasps attack the Asian citrus psyllids and lay eggs in their bodies. When the eggs hatch, the new wasps kill the psyllids as they exit.

To help distribute these new warriors in the fight against citrus greening, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is offering Tamarixia wasps to the public. To request wasps for release, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/TRA or call the DPI Helpline at 1-888-397-1517.

My understanding is that the wasps are distributed by the state to areas where they receive the most requests. If you know anyone who has citrus trees, tell them about the program and have them fill out the request form online. Come spring, if they have enough requests from county residents maybe they will do a local release. Remember in life, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Readers may e-mail questions or contact Keith at: keithfuller602@att.net