Biological control program of the leucaena psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana Crawford (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in Hawaii.

Abstract

An account of the biological control programme for H. cubana developed by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, describing the early taxonomic confusion caused by the presence of 3 species of Heteropsylla in Hawaii, host range tests, the search for natural enemies, and quarantine and field studies. Some natural control of H. cubana by the coccinellid Curinus coeruleus was found, but the control programme adopted emphasized the use of the encyrtid Psyllaephagus sp. nr. rotundiformis . Options for biological control in other countries are briefly discussed.