Biological control of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) in eucalyptus plantations

Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) attack patterns on different Eucalyptus genotypes

“…The low parasitism levels of G. brimblecombei by P. bliteus observed in our site corroborate other studies under natural conditions conducted in Brazil (0.2–11%; Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015) and United States (1.67–33%; Daane, Sime & Paine, 2012). In several countries, rearing and mass release of P. bliteus showed promising results, increasing parasitism levels in the field up to 94% (Huerta, Faundez & Araya, 2010; Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015).…”

“…In several countries, rearing and mass release of P. bliteus showed promising results, increasing parasitism levels in the field up to 94% (Huerta, Faundez & Araya, 2010; Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015). However, this parasitoid failed to establish viable populations in regions of warm climate, such as some parts of California (Daane, Sime & Paine, 2012) and in Brazil (Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015). Thus, it is likely that an effective control of G. brimblecombei using P. bliteus would demand periodic mass releases, increasing the financial costs of this strategy.…”

“…Exotic phytophagous insects causing economic losses in Brazilian eucalypt plantations (Pereira et al, 2001) include the blue gum lerp psyllid Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), the eucalyptus snout beetles Gonipterus gibberus and G. scutellatus , the Australian eucalyptus longhorn Phoracantha semipunctata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) (Ribeiro et al, 2001; Queiroz-Santana & Burckhardt, 2007), the eucalyptus gall wasp Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (Fernandes et al, 2014), and the Australian red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) (Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015). G. brimblecombei is the major problem in eucalypt plantations in Brazil and was first recorded in São Paulo State in 2003 (Wilcken et al, 2003), spreading quickly throughout the country (Pereira et al, 2013; Queiroz et al, 2013).…”

“…P. bliteus was accidentally introduced into Brazil and was first reported soon after its host in 2003 (Berti-Filho et al, 2003). Due to the low level of natural parasitism (0.2–11%) and to the reported success of this parasitod in controlling G. brimblecombei in the United States and Mexico, a program aimed at rearing and mass release of P. bliteus was started in Brazil (Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015). In Brazil, areas under this augmentative biological control showed a temporary increase in the parasitism rate of G. brimblecombei by P. bliteus up to 80%, although viable parasitoid populations were not found, requiring frequent releases (Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015).…”

“…The susceptibility of Eucalyptus genotypes to insect species varies (Firmino-Winckler et al, 2009; Queiroz, Burckhardt & Majer, 2012) and plant mechanisms responsible for reducing damages by these organisms must be further investigated. Given that both temperature (Ferreira-Filho et al, 2015) and rainfall (Oliveira et al, 2012) affect G. brimblecombei abundance, further studies are necessary to determine of correct time of management interventions.…”