Scientists think it could be a superhero that could vanquish the foe of citrus growers everywhere — the Asian citrus psyllid, a bug responsible for citrus greening. In recent years, scientists have used a beetle to combat the air potato vine, one of Florida’s most invasive plant species. Researchers think the wasps are just one weapon in the fight against the psyllids and citrus greening, Kerr said. It suppresses the growth of citrus trees’ roots and deforms their fruit, giving their insides a lopsided appearance with aborted seeds inside. “It limited overall growth.”Air potato beetles, which originated from Nepal, survive exclusively on the leaves of the air potato vine.

Source: Daily Sun October 23, 2017 12:00 UTC