Recently permitted biological control agents in California: Overview of rearing and releases by the CDFA Biological Control Program

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

10:48 AM – 11:00 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 207

Presenting Author(s)

Christopher Borkent

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Sacramento, California

Co-Author(s)

CP

Charles Pickett

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Sacramento, California
VP

Viola Popescu

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Sacramento, California
RL

Ricky Lara

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Sacramento, California
MP

Michael J. Pitcairn

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Sacramento, California
VM

Vincent Maiquez

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Vallejo, California

The current work by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Biological Control Program on recently permitted agents is discussed and detailed. New weed agents on Russian knapweed, Giant and Japanese knotweed, and Yellow starthistle are currently being reared or collected and released by the program in a variety of locations around the state. A new parasitoid agent (Psyllaephagus euphyllurae) of the olive psyllid (Euphyllurae olivina) is currently being cultured at the program's facilities in Sacramento, with the first releases being made this summer. Successes and pitfalls of rearing methods for these agents and appropriate release methods will be presented.