Scientists in the north-west Mexican state of Sonora have found a new breed of wasp that controls the spread of Huanglongbing (HLB), otherwise known as 'citrus greening disease', reported Expreso.com.mx.

The wasp 'Cheyenne' was bred in a farming experiment in the Yaqui Valley and is now available for farmers from the local Plant Sanitation Board, the story reported.

The Cheyenne wasp helps prevent the spread of citrus greening by eating the insect that causes it, while also laying parasitic eggs in the area where the pest breeds, reported Expreso.com.mx.

Elsewhere in Mexico, the Tamaulipas State Plant Sanitation Committee has pledgeded US$2.75 million (33 million Mexican pesos) to combat greening disease over the next nine months, reported Tiempoahora.net.

He told the newspaper the disease has become a very strong threat to citrus growers in the state, but the amount of resources available to combat the problem continue to fall.

Photo: USDA

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com