TRNC and Turkey will fight citrus pests with American parasitoids

TRNC and Turkey are starting joint research to combat citrus pests. An Asian citrus psyllid has been discovered in Northern Cyprus. According to the Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research (TAE), Jem Karadja, biological control has been initiated against the citrus pest (Diaphorina citri).

"We aim to suppress the Asian citrus psyllid that has appeared in our country using parasitic organisms brought from the United States with the support of Turkey," the scientist said.

Jem Karadja also noted that despite the presence of the pest in some orchards, research has not detected the disease known as "greening" on the trees caused by this insect.

It is also noted that the Asian citrus psyllid has been previously observed in some areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Besides Cyprus, the Asian citrus psyllid is widespread in countries such as Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

The best method of biological control against the pest is parasitoids brought from the USA.

According to the scientist, 500 out of 7,500 parasitoids brought from the USA with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (TAGEM), and the Adana Institute of Biological Control were reserved for production, and 7,000 were allocated to combat the pest in Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Güzelyurt, and Mesaoria.

Experts have already released them into 25 citrus orchards in the region to start biological control.

It is also noted that the initiated biological control will prevent the entry of the pest into Turkey.

"Our goal this year is to produce 100,000 parasitoids. The parasitoids produced here can be immediately sent to Turkey if needed in the future," the scientist said.

Sema Shishman Hodjanin, Head of the TAE Türkmenköy Research Station, added that the Asian citrus psyllid mainly damages lemon trees, but it can also be found in mandarin and orange orchards.