Establishment of the red gum psyllid parasitoid

Abstract

The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), was detected in Eucalyptus sp. foliage in Santiago, Chile, in 2002. The successful biological control results obtained in the US and México using Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) prompted its use in Chile. After its introduction during 2003, it became established in two years. To assess its effectiveness on G. brimblecombei, the level of parasitism by P. bliteus was determined in four sampling sites in Santiago, where random samples of 50 lerps (carbohydrates and protein shelters) were collected per site on trees infested with the psyllid every other week, during a 4 month period in the spring-summer of 2008-2009. Also, natural enemies were sampled with sticky traps on ten trees at two sites, which were evaluated every 15 days. Results were compared with a previous evaluation. The density of nymphs of the psyllid was ostensibly reduced by the action of P. bliteus throughout the season. The biological control program of G. brimblecombei with P. bliteus is developing well when comparing results with the previous evaluation in 2005 in Santiago, with a significant increase in the rate of parasitism. Generalist predators had also interacting with P. bliteus and G. brimblecombei. These results indicate a promising use of this parasitoid to strengthen the integrated management of the red gum lerp psyllid in the central zone of Chile.