First Report of a Predaceous Wasp Attacking Nymphs ofDiaphorinacitri(Hemiptera: Psyllidae), Vector of Hlb

Since 2008, a wasp species has been observed to predate nymphs of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) (Fig. 1), the Asian citrus psyllid, one of the vectors of the bacterial patho gen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, causal agent of the deadly citrus greening disease (Xuet al. 1998; Gamier & Bove 2000). The wasp species was identified as the Mexican honey wasp, Brachygastra mellifica (Say 1837) (Vespidae: Polistinae) by M. Buck. This wasp was first ob served attacking D. citri nymphs in 2008 in sweet orange, Citrus x sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae), and lemon, Citrus x limon (L.) Burm. f. (Ruta ceae), groves, planted 3 to 5 yr ago in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (25°56'39.12"N, 98°07'3.9"W, 28. 2 elev.). We have been observing B. mellifica since 2008 at Rio Bravo, and have found that its predatory activity is greatest during Jul through Sep when a high population of D. citri nymphs is present on new flush. B. mellifica are small ocial wasps (body length 7-9 mm), and are one of the few insect species, other than honey bees, that produce and store honey (Sugden & McAllen 1994). The species con