SOUTHLAND - (INT) - Thousands of tiny, parasitic wasps have been released across Southern California.

Officials say they are beneficial bugs that will reduce a pest spreading a disease that’s killing the region’s citrus trees.

Trees with Huanglongbing, also known as HLB, have been found more than 2,000 residential citrus trees in northern Orange County cities, Long Beach, eastern Los Angeles County, and Riverside County, according to UC Riverside’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The disease has not been detected in Ventura County, but several Asian citrus psyllid, also known as ACP, have been collected there.

Officials say the wasps, which are a natural predator of ACP, were released periodically last week.

Story Date: September 29, 2020