Biology of Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Parasitoid of the Citrus Greening Disease Vector Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psylloidea): A Mini Review

Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an ectoparasitoid of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) a citrus pest and vector of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. First described from what is now Pakistan, the parasitoid has been introduced deliberately or inadvertently throughout Asia and the Americas wherever the psyllid now occurs. Interest in T. radiata for biological control of D. citri has grown in response to continued spread of ACP and HLB, and the evident searching and colonization capabilities of the parasitoid. Mass release is seen as a potential strategy to augment area wide management of D. citri, particularly where pesticides are not extensively used. Efficient mass rearing and eventual success of these programs will require the best possible information on biology of T. radiata including life history parameters, host relationships, sensory perception, environmental responses and genetics. Much early literature on T. radiata is in Chinese and therefore inaccessible to those not able to read the language. The present review covers the literature through 2014. The intent is to summarize what is known about biology of T. radiata to aid research efforts, with the objective of contributing to more effective biological control of this pest.