Abstract
Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease with no current cure, affecting citrus plantations worldwide. Controlling its spread relies heavily on managing the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), the disease's primary vector. In response to the dependence on chemical insecticides, which can negatively impact biodiversity and induce pest resistance, this study evaluates calcium polysulfide as an alternative compatible with the parasitoids Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis, specific biological control agents of D. citri. The research was conducted under laboratory conditions, testing six concentrations of calcium polysulfide across different developmental stages of the insects. Data distribution was reviewed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and then an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a significance level of p < 0.05, followed by Duncan’s test for mean comparisons. Results demonstrated that concentrations of 0.24% and 0.31% significantly reduced the survival of D. citri nymphs and eggs, without interfering with the emergence of parasitoids in the mummy stage, due to the protective effect of the pest’s cadaver (mummy) on the pupae. It was concluded that calcium polysulfide was not harmful to T. radiata and D. aligarhensis under exposure conditions typical of the mummy stage, and its detrimental effects on D. citri were restricted to specific developmental stages (egg and nymph), without affecting other stages evaluated. Therefore, its integration into integrated pest management (IPM) programs is feasible, provided that application timing minimizes exposure of more sensitive parasitoid stages (adults).