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 Mexico 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.
Highlights
Chile has been invaded in recent years by foreign pests of great impact on eucalypts (Poisson and Sandoval, 1998; Meza and Baldini, 2001), one of them the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a species native to Australia which was detected in 2001 in the vicinity of the International Airport in Santiago, onto Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn (SAG, 2005)
Parasitism of P. bliteus in the Metropolitan Park of Santiago (MPS) increased progressively during the season (Fig. 2a), as the nymphs consumed grew from 6% at the beginning of the study to 98% at the end
It was concluded that, even though P. bliteus densities and parasitism level inland were low, its impact could continue growing, at a slower pace than in coastal areas. These conclusions may be extended to Chile, as in the 2004, study by SAG important differences occurred in levels of parasitism between the Metropolitan Region and adjacent Valparaiso, the later presenting always greater levels of parasitism than the former, reaching 80% in El Sauce (SAG, 2006)
Summary
Chile has been invaded in recent years by foreign pests of great impact on eucalypts (Poisson and Sandoval, 1998; Meza and Baldini, 2001), one of them the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a species native to Australia which was detected in 2001 in the vicinity of the International Airport in Santiago, onto Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn (SAG, 2005). All stages of development of this multivoltine species can be found both on new and mature foliage (Olivares et al, 2003; Paine et al, 2006). It has a gradual metamorphosis after egg hatch, including several nymph stages increasing gradually in size until the adult stage. These have a light green elongated body, slightly larger in females. The young nymphs build a lerp or white shelters. These lerps are crystal sugary structures that protect the orange nymphs under them, and may reach approximately 3 mm wide and 2 mm height (Paine et al, 2000; Sullivan et al, 2006)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
