Strengthen asian citrus psyllidbiological control in south texas through the deployment of thepredatory mite (amblyseius swirskii) to target the currently unexploitedguild composed of psyllid eggs and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $155,010 cooperative agreement to Texas A&M University-Kingsville under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care federal grant program (CFDA 10.025). The purpose of the July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 award is to strengthen Asian citrus psyllid biological control in South Texas through the deployment of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii to target psyllid eggs and nymphs not currently exploited by other predators. Key deliverables include developing an augmentative biological control strategy utilizing A. swirskii to attack ACP life stages under-exploited in the natural enemy community, benefiting commercial citrus growers and urban citrus owners.

Strengthen asian citrus psyllidbiological control in south texas through the deployment of thepredatory mite (amblyseius swirskii) to target the currently unexploitedguild composed of psyllid eggs and nymphs.activities will include the use of commercially available predatorymite, amblyseius swirskii (acari: phytoseiidae), to target ACP eggs andfirst-instar nymphs that are not known to be attacked by t. Radiata ornative predators.deliverables will be the development of an augmentative biologicalcontrol strategy for ACP utilizing a novel predator that attacks acplife stages that are under-exploited by the current community of naturalenemies.efforts will benefit commercial citrus growers and urban citrus ownersas well.