Biological control of the blue gum psyllid proves economically beneficial

Abstract

In 1992 a parasitoid native to Australia was introduced into California in a biological control program directed against the blue gum psyllid from Australia. Interviews with baby blue gum eucalyptus growers indicate that this program has had a benefit-cost ratio ranging from at least 9: 1 to 24: 1, based solely on the reduction of insecticide treatments. Additional economic benefits, including greater foliage yield, possible reduced environmental and health effects, and avoided pesticide resistance, were not calculated, but would further increase this ratio. ' Processing eucalyptus shoots for market. Insecticide sprays were expensive and unreliable for protecting the ornamental crop from blue gum psyllid.

Integrated Pest Management of Eucalypt Psyllids (Insecta, Hemiptera, Psylloidea)

“…However, when introduced into other continents, their populations may increase and become a serious problem (Paine & Millar, 2002). This has been the case with Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Dahlsten et al, 1998a;Pinzón et al, 2002) and Glycaspis brimblecombei (Bouvet et al, 2005). Currently, seven Australian species are known from other continents (Blastopsylla occidentalis, Cardiaspina fiscella, Cryptoneossa triangula, Ctenarytaina eucalypti, C. spatulata, Eucalyptolyma maideni, and Glycaspis brimblecombei).…”

“…By 1995, the parasitoids had become broadly distributed throughout many parts of the State. An economic analysis of the benefit to the cut-foliage industry alone indicated that the biological control programme generated a benefit-cost ratio ranging from a minimum of 9:1 to a maximum of 24:1, based solely on elimination of pesticide treatments (Dahlsten et al, 1998a). A similar IPM programme was adopted to manage the populations of the lerp psyllid G. brimblecombei in California (Paine et al, 2007).…”

Introduced Eucalyptus psyllids in Brazil

“…By 1995, the parasitoids had become broadly distributed throughout many parts of the state. An economic analysis of the benefit to the cut-foliage industry alone indicated that the biological control programme generated a benefit cost ratio ranging from a minimum of 9:1 to a maximum of 24:1, based solely on elimination of pesticide treatments (Dahlsten et al 1998a).…”

Die biologische Bekämpfung des Eukalyptusblattsaugers Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Maskell) (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) durch die Erzwespe Psyllaephagus pilosus Noyes (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) – eine Erfolgsgeschichte in Kalifornien und Westeuropa, aber auch in Sachsen

“…Nach Kalifornien wurde C. eucalypti Anfang der neunziger Jahre des 20. Jahrhunderts eingeschleppt (Dahlsten 1992). Mit dem forcierten Anbau von E. globulus und weiterer Eukalyptus-Arten zur Schnittgrüngewinnung kam es zu Massenvermehrungen dieses Eukalyptusblattsaugers mit erheblichen Schäden sowohl in Kalifornien als auch in westeuropäischen Anbaugebieten.…”

“…Die Insektizidspritzungen erwiesen sich als zu aufwändig und zu wenig effektiv. Deshalb wurde von Dahlsten (1992) ein biologisches Bekämpfungsprogramm konzipiert.…”