A visit to RCRCD (Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District)

As a Riverside resident, I didn’t know that we have a local government agency that helps to conserve the natural resources (soil, water, plants, and wildlife) of Riverside and San Bernardino county areas. On April 9, 2014 I have visited the RCRCD to attend a workshop by Doctor David Morgan, a scientist from the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program, who is working in a project to eradicate the Asian Citrus Psyllid, a plague that have been damaging the citrus orange trees in our entire nation. The plague (Asian Citrus Psyllid) is a dangerous small insect that feeds under citrus leaves. It also can transmit fatal diseases to the tree; for example transmit the bacteria that kill the citrus tree. This bacteria is known as HLB (citrus greening disease). 

According to Dr. Morgan, the Asian citrus psyllid has been intercepted coming into California on plants shipped from other states or countries. Nowadays, the plague has speeded out in all California counties. 

Dr. Morgan also presented the solution to this pest, as a biological control project by introducing a small predator fly known as Tamarixia radiata. This nice predator has three main characteristics:

o   Is a natural predator of the Asian citrus psyllid elsewhere in the world

o   Is harmless to humans, animals and other insects

o   Can help save your citrus trees

Tamarixia radiata a biological control predator. 

The main goals for this project are:

§   To teach the Californian residents who have citrus trees at their  backyards, about this form of biological control

§   Lowering populations of the Asian citrus psyllid, although it’s not a solution on its own. Learn about other actions that help protect against the Asian citrus psyllid

The major overcome that the project has, according to Dr. Morgan, is the fear of many Californian neighbors don’t allow access to people involve in the project to care their backyard trees. 

Indeed, the best help that we as good Riverside residents can do is to talk with our family members, friends, and neighbors about this project, specially, if they have the citrus tree planted at their back yards. While doing it we will  support Dr. Morgan's project. Moreover, the project is safe, is not harmful to environment, to people, or pets. Please, speak loud about it!