Total parasitism ranged from 25.4 to 91.9 percent in a pummelo orchard from May to September 1990. In the United States, native parasites in south Florida cause parasitism rates in excess of 50 percent in unsprayed citrus groves. The parasites A. citricola and C. quadristriatus were subsequently collected from Australia and released into citrus groves in Florida in 1994. Preliminary surveys indicate that A. citricola had established in 3 of 12 release sites, causing up to 50 percent parasitism. No evidence was found to indicate that C. quadristriatus has established.
Predators feed on the pest insect.
The adults often feed on nectar. Several predators are known to reduce population levels of CLM, although they may have to be used in large numbers and in conjunction with parasites. The lacewing, a common predator that feed on a variety of insect pests, is sold as a commercial biological control agent. Pathogens cause insect diseases. They may be bacteria, fungi or viruses.