BeneficialAsian citrus psyllid
Hoverflies for asian citrus psyllid
Syrphidae · wild predator (larvae)
Against asian citrus psyllid
The UC IPM citrus guidelines call syrphid fly larvae the key predators of psyllid nymphs, and note that sweet alyssum insectary plantings draw them in. Argentine ants tending the psyllids drive them off, so control ants on the trunk. UC IPM says natural enemies have reduced psyllid numbers in Southern California but have not halted the spread of huanglongbing.
RateWild — attract adults with open flowers
TimingDuring spring and autumn flush
macro · hoverflies on asian citrus psyllid
The pestAsian citrus psyllidDiaphorina citriTwisted, notched new leaves; spreads citrus greening (HLB)Full pest profile →Before you act
The adults are the striped, hovering flies on open flowers; the larvae are legless, slug-like maggots that eat aphids inside the colony. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Hoverflies profile.
Other controls for asian citrus psyllid
- LadybugsWild predator · Nothing to release — conserve the ones already there and keep ants off the tree
- Garden spidersWild generalist predator · wild, attract it
- Tamarixia waspWild parasitoid — released by state agencies · No retail source found — released by the state; protect the ones already there