Tamarixia radiata as a potential tool for controlling the invasive citrus pest Diaphorina citri

The bacteria that are responsible for the main disease of citrus worldwide, known as greening or huanglongbing have been detected in citrus-growing areas of São Paulo since 2004. The widespread distribution in Brazil of the vector psyllid Diaphorina citri and the presence of the pathogen in citrus-growing areas are a limiting factor for citrus production. Tamarixia radiata is the most important biological control agent against D. citri. A parasitoid mass rearing system is being developed using Murraya paniculata as a host plant for the psyllid production. Based on the T. radiata × D. citri interaction (including basic studies like fertility life table, thermal requirements and a zoning of the pest and the parasitoid in the State of São Paulo), the data obtained in this work can be useful for the implementation of a biological control program as part of D. citri IPM in ecologically distinct regions of the State of São Paulo, including the release of the parasitoid in areas of Murraya paniculata, in citrus organic groves and in citrus groves where the growers are spraying selective insecticides.