Fighting ACP at the intersection of residential and commercial citrus · Image: Google Earth
Pilot Program · DPR Contract 25-C0078 · UC Riverside
Using the ACP
as a Weapon
Against Itself
Can the Sterile Insect Technique provide a pesticide-free alternative for controlling Diaphorina citri — the vector of devastating Huanglongbing — in residential areas of Southern California?
Funding
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
Duration
Feb 2026 – Jun 2028
Field Area
Hemet & Valle Vista, CA
Outreach Tasks
12 planned activities
Scroll to explore
📰 Latest Newsletter · Vol. 1 · Summer 2026
First open-field sterile ACP releases in California history
CDFA Permit No. 4304 approved · 21 residential properties enrolled in East Hemet & Valle Vista · first sterile releases on September 4, 2026 · eight weekly release rounds underway through October.
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri) is the major vector of Huanglongbing (HLB) — known as "citrus greening." When an ACP feeds on new citrus growth, it injects the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) into the tree's phloem tissue. The bacterium multiplies, blocks nutrient flow, and kills the tree within 3 to 5 years. There is no cure.
HLB has already devastated Florida's citrus industry, which has lost more than 80% of its production since 2010. In 2023–24, California accounted for approximately 79% of U.S. citrus production, valued at $2.55 billion. Infected trees have already been confirmed in Southern California residential areas. Keeping HLB from spreading into commercial groves is an urgent priority.
Current ACP management relies on coordinated area-wide insecticide spraying in commercial groves and the release of an imported parasitoid, Tamarixia radiata, in urban areas. But pesticides contribute to environmental damage, harm beneficial insects and pollinators, and risk creating pesticide-resistant psyllid populations. A species-specific, chemical-free solution is needed.
Adult Asian citrus psyllids on young citrus flush. Feeding on new growth is how the bacterium enters the tree.
$2.55B
Annual value of California citrus — ~79% of all U.S. production. At direct risk from HLB spread facilitated by the Asian citrus psyllid.
>80%
Decline in Florida citrus production since HLB establishment in 2010 — the cautionary tale driving urgency in California.
3–5 yrs
Time from HLB infection to tree death. No treatment can save an infected tree — there is currently no cure for HLB. Preventing spread depends on reducing ACP populations, detecting and removing infected trees, and limiting movement of infected plant material.
0
There is currently no cure for HLB. Preventing spread depends on reducing ACP populations, detecting and removing infected trees, and limiting movement of infected plant material.
The Solution
"Birth control for bugs" — how the Sterile Insect Technique works
SIT is a proven biological pest control method already used in California against Mediterranean fruit fly and invasive mosquitoes. This project is the first to adapt SIT for ACP. Large numbers of sterile insects are released to overwhelm wild populations — no chemicals, no harm to natural enemies or pollinators.
1
Insect Rearing
"Clean," HLB-free psyllids are mass-reared at UCR on curry leaf (Bergera koenigii) — a host of ACP that is non-permissive to CLas. The UCR insectary produces >40,000 adult ACP per month across 14+ cages.
2
Sterilization
3–4-day-old adult ACP are sealed in pharmaceutical vials, transported overnight to USDA-APHIS in Salinas, CA, and irradiated at 320 Gray (Gy) of X-ray radiation. Irradiated psyllids remain capable of normal movement and mating.
3
Release
Sterile adults are released into the target area. ACP reared on CLas-free curry leaf are disease-free at release, and adult ACP acquire CLas far less efficiently than nymphs. Vials remain sealed until the moment of release.
4
Mating
Sterile males mate with wild females. These encounters produce eggs — but infertile ones. Every mating with a sterile male is a wasted reproductive event. With high overflooding ratios, wild females are far more likely to mate with sterile males than fertile ones.
5
Population Decline
With repeated releases, sterile males outcompete fertile males for mating. Fewer psyllids are born each generation. Over time, the overall ACP population declines — reducing HLB transmission risk without pesticides or harm to other species.
🛡️
Key safety point: ACP are reared exclusively on Bergera koenigii, which is a host of ACP that is non-permissive to CLas. ACP reared on CLas-free curry leaf are disease-free at release. Adult ACP can acquire CLas from infected citrus, although acquisition during the adult stage is substantially less efficient than acquisition during the nymphal stage. All movement of live psyllids is conducted under CA State Plant Pest Permit and in accordance with CDFA requirements — the insects remain sealed in vials throughout transport and until the moment of field release.
Research Findings to Date
Two years of field-cage experiments
Before moving into neighborhoods, sterile releases were tested inside replicated 10′×10′×10′ field cages built over mature lemon trees at UC Riverside Agricultural Operations. Each cage held an established wild ACP population, allowing suppression to be measured against untreated controls across every life stage.
Field cages at UCR Agricultural Operations.
Year 1 · Spring & Summer 2024 — Single Sterile Release
Dramatic suppression with one coordinated dose
Experiments in 10'×10'×10' field cages at UCR Agricultural Operations established wild ACP populations on mature lemon trees, then applied sterile releases at overflooding ratios (OFR) of 10:1 or 15:1 at doses of 240 or 320 Gy. Populations were measured at predicted F1 and F2 generation peaks using shoot-tip sampling and yellow panel traps.
The 320 Gy + 15:1 OFR combination produced the strongest suppression across all life stages.
>80% reduction in adult ACP vs. untreated control cages.
~98% reduction in late-instar nymphs — nearly eliminating the next generation.
>90% reduction in early-instar nymphs and ~80% reduction in eggs.
OFR appeared to have at least as strong an effect as radiation dose.
Results consistent across spring and summer — with lower absolute populations in summer.
Year 2 · Spring & Summer 2025 — Multiple Sterile Releases
Testing repeated weekly releases closer to real operational conditions
Building on Year 1, this round used 320 Gy only and compared single releases vs. multiple releases (Weeks 1, 2, and 3) at 10:1 and 15:1 OFRs. This design better mirrors what an operational SIT program would look like in the field — aligning with programs run against other pests like Mediterranean fruit fly.
Control-cage ACP populations were >5-fold lower than Year 1, reflecting natural seasonal variation.
The largest suppressive effect came from multiple spring releases at 15:1 OFR.
Spring results showed the expected directional suppression consistent with Year 1 findings.
Summer populations were very low across all treatments, limiting statistical power that season.
Results support spring as the optimal operational timing for ACP SIT releases.
~82%
F1 adult suppression in lab cages
At overflooding ratios of 10:1 and 15:1 with 320 Gray irradiation, sterile ACP releases reduced F1 adults by ~82% in laboratory cages — with the 320 Gy + 15:1 combination reducing late-instar nymphs by ~98%. These results, peer-reviewed and published in Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 119, Issue 4, August 2026, pp. 2524–2534, DOI 10.1093/jee/toag116, confirm SIT as a viable tool for preventing ACP establishment in new areas. The next phase moves this science into open residential environments for the first time.
For Residents
Help us, to help you, protect your trees
We are working with homeowners in East Hemet and Valle Vista with citrus trees to take part in a first-of-its-kind pilot. There is no cost, no chemicals, and no work on your part — just a chance to help protect California citrus. Field-cage trials have shown that releasing sterile psyllids can cut the size of the next generation by more than 80%.
What we're asking
01
Let our team release sterile psyllids on the citrus tree(s) in your yard. Eight weekly releases in fall 2026, spring 2027, and fall 2027, calibrated to roughly 15 sterile psyllids for every wild one.
02
Allow short monthly visits through March 2028 so we can monitor ACP populations on those trees.
03
That's it. We bring everything and do all the work. We contact you 24–48 hours before each visit.
What you get
Pesticide-free help controlling the psyllid on your trees.
A direct line to UC Riverside entomologists.
The satisfaction of protecting your fruit, your shade, and your community's citrus.
Why your yard matters. Backyard citrus acts as a reservoir for ACP that threatens nearby commercial groves. Applying pesticide is hard to coordinate in residential areas, and this is exactly the gap SIT is designed to fill. Your contribution helps protect not just your tree, but also your neighbor's, and ultimately California's citrus.
What happens on your property
Hang yellow sticky card traps (9″ × 5.5″) from one or more of your citrus trees at approximately 5 ft off the ground, away from young children and pets.
Release sterilized adult ACP onto those trees each week for 8 weeks, in fall 2026 and again in spring and fall 2027.
Place a small tag on participating trees so we can identify them.
Conduct periodic tap samples and visual surveys to record numbers of adult ACP present — once every month through March 2028.
Periodically collect a small number of young citrus shoots to enable laboratory counts of ACP eggs and nymphs — once every month through March 2028.
Capture a photographic image of each tree at the start and end of the project for our records.
Project staff releasing sterile psyllids onto a citrus tree. Vials stay sealed until the moment of release.
Visit protocol. Visits occur on weekdays between 8 AM and 4 PM and should take less than 30 minutes. All project materials will be removed from your property at the end of the study. Participation is free and completely voluntary — you may withdraw at any time, for any reason.
Will it hurt my trees, pets, or family?
No. Sterile psyllids are disease-free and produced without chemicals. They cannot harm people, pets, plants, or other animals. They do not bite or sting, and adults typically live several weeks. They will also reduce your need to spray pesticides on your citrus trees.
Aren't you releasing more pests?
It might appear so in the short term, but the released adult psyllids are both sterile and disease-free, having been reared on a host plant that is non-permissive to CLas. Adult ACP can acquire CLas from infected citrus, but far less efficiently than nymphs, and because they mate but are sterile, they significantly reduce the size of the next generation of wild ACP.
Will it cost me anything?
Nothing. Participation is completely free. We supply all traps, tags, and insects, and our team carries out every visit.
Can I leave the study?
Yes — participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time, for any reason, by contacting us at the phone number or email address below.
Releases are conducted under CDFA Plant Pest Permit #4304, approved for the release of irradiated ACP.
For Growers & Pest Control Districts
Defending the edge of your groves
Backyard citrus in residential neighborhoods is a persistent reservoir of ACP that threatens commercial groves — and one where coordinated spraying is impractical. Every acre of treated grove in Hemet and Valle Vista sits next to untreated residential citrus. This pilot tests whether that edge can be suppressed without chemical inputs. SIT is a targeted tool, not a replacement for grove management: it is intended alongside parasitoid releases and targeted insecticides, not instead of them.
Disease-free by design
Released psyllids are reared on curry leaf, a host of ACP that is non-permissive to CLas, so they are disease-free at release. Adult ACP can acquire CLas from infected citrus, although acquisition during the adult stage is substantially less efficient than during the nymphal stage.
Sterile before release
At 320 Gy, females are sterile and males are nearly completely sterile. The very small number of F1 offspring that can result from irradiated males are themselves sterile. Adults typically live several weeks. Irradiated does not mean radioactive — the same principle used against Mediterranean fruit fly.
No pesticides applied
Nothing is sprayed on any property at any point. No residues, no pre-harvest intervals, and no drift concerns at the urban edge.
Species-specific
Because SIT targets reproduction within the same species rather than using an insecticide, it does not create insecticide-resistance selection pressure. Bees, butterflies, lady beetles, Tamarixia, and other natural enemies are unharmed.
With each release window, fewer wild ACP are born and the local population falls.
Coordinating with district treatment programs
Broad-spectrum applications adjacent to an active release site will kill sterile psyllids and confound the results. Where release clusters sit close to treated blocks, advance notice of planned applications lets us schedule releases around them — protecting both the treatment program and the integrity of the pilot data.
Districts and growers cooperating with the pilot receive monitoring data from the release area, advance notice of every release window, and the first open-field evidence on whether SIT can suppress ACP at the residential–commercial interface. To coordinate, contact the project team using the details above.
Project Objectives
Six aims. One mission.
A phased research program to demonstrate, validate, and recommend SIT for operational ACP management — from insectary to neighborhood. Status as of September 30, 2026.
OBJ 01
In progress · Round 1 supplied
Mass-Rearing & Sterilization
ACP are reared at UCR on CLas-free Bergera koenigii (curry leaf), sterilized at 320 Gy with the Rad Source RS2400V X-ray irradiator at USDA-APHIS in Salinas, and returned to Hemet in sealed pharmaceutical vials. Sterile adults are marked with fluorescent powder before release. Production now supports the fall 2026 round; spring and fall 2027 rounds follow.
OBJ 02
Complete · Sep 1, 2026
Homeowner Recruitment & Site Qualification
After the CDFA permit (#4304) was issued July 1, 2026, a presentation to the Hemet Citrus Pest Control District Board, door-to-door canvassing, and direct mail enrolled 21 properties in East Hemet and Valle Vista — 11 release and 10 control sites with 42+ citrus trees. ACP activity was confirmed at every site, and the final list was submitted to DPR on September 1, 2026.
OBJ 03
Underway · Round 1 of 3
Open-Environment Pilot Releases
The first open-field sterile ACP releases in California history began September 4, 2026, at 11 residential sites — approximately 16,000 sterile adults per release (up to 2,000 per site). Eight weekly releases run through October 22, 2026, with further rounds in spring and fall 2027. To our knowledge, this is the first open-environment field test of SIT for ACP.
OBJ 04
Begins after Round 1
Field Population Monitoring
ACP activity was confirmed at all sites before releases began. After the final fall release, release and control sites will be monitored monthly through February 2027 using shoot-tip sampling (eggs, nymphs) and yellow panel traps (adults). Population estimates are due to DPR by March 31, 2027.
OBJ 05
Data collection started
Dispersal & Persistence
Because released psyllids carry a fluorescent mark, they can be told apart from wild ACP on traps and foliage. This lets the team measure how far sterile ACP move and how long they persist in neighborhoods where wild psyllids and natural enemies such as Tamarixia radiata are present — data that will inform release densities and overflooding ratios.
OBJ 06
Planned · 2027–2028
Synthesis & Operational Recommendation
A formal recommendation to CDPR, CDFA, and USDA-APHIS on the feasibility of SIT for operational ACP control. The earlier field-cage work behind this pilot is now published in the Journal of Economic Entomology (August 2026). Pilot results will be presented at the California Citrus Conference (October 2026) and the ESA Annual Meeting (2027), and submitted for peer-reviewed publication.
Community Engagement Plan
Science that happens in people's backyards
This project operates directly in residential neighborhoods. East Hemet and Valle Vista in Riverside County were selected as the pilot area — communities with significant populations of under-privileged, low-income, and vulnerable residents, including many seniors and children, where backyard citrus sits next to commercial groves. Homeowners who volunteer their properties are the project's most essential partners.
After the CDFA permit was issued on July 1, 2026, outreach moved quickly: a presentation to the Hemet Citrus Pest Control District Board, door-to-door canvassing, and direct mail brought in 21 participating homeowners — above the original goal of 15–20. The first sterile releases followed on September 4, 2026.
All materials are bilingual and written for four audiences: participating homeowners, the general public, commercial growers, and K–8 students. The website at acpsit.com now hosts the outreach materials, a bilingual quarterly newsletter, and an anonymous public opinion questionnaire. Success is measured by homeowners recruited and retained, website visits, downloads, newsletter sign-ups, and survey results. All outreach materials are submitted to DPR for approval before distribution.
General Public
Homeowners
Spanish-Speaking Residents
K–8 Students
Commercial Growers
Hemet CPCD
CDFA
USDA-APHIS
Permits & Site Access
CDFA Plant Pest Permit
☑ Issued · #4304
Permit to Move and Use Live Plant Pests or Insects or Noxious Weeds. Application submitted December 2025; permit #4304 issued July 1, 2026, valid through July 31, 2028. All movement and release of live psyllids is conducted under its terms.
Residential Site Permissions
☑ Acquired · 21 Sites
21 homeowners in East Hemet and Valle Vista signed itemized Property Access Request forms covering repeat visits through March 2028 — 11 release sites and 10 control sites. The final site list was submitted to DPR on September 1, 2026. Participants may withdraw at any time.
Task 2.1 · Completed Jun 2026
Develop IPM Outreach Materials
Bilingual (English/Spanish) fact sheets introducing SIT — "birth control for bugs" — were produced for four audiences: participating homeowners, the general public, commercial growers, and K–8 students. Spanish versions use conventions familiar to Southern California Spanish speakers. All four are available to view or download from the Outreach Materials page and will be distributed at the 2027 Riverside Insect Fair.
Team LeadDr. Jedeliza Ferrater (Co-PI) led formulation, design, and production; Dr. Paul Rugman-Jones (PI) oversaw production.
OutcomeFour bilingual fact sheets completed and submitted to DPR. Success will be tracked through distribution numbers, website downloads, and public feedback.
Task 2.2 · Feb–Aug 2026
Resident & Stakeholder Engagement
Resident engagement was held until the CDFA permit was issued to avoid recruiting homeowners before releases were authorized. The project was promoted to stakeholders on March 3, 2026 (California Citrus Pest and Disease Science & Technology Subcommittee) and May 12, 2026 (ACP-HLB Grower Meeting, Oxnard). Once the permit was issued, outreach began in August 2026 with a presentation to the Hemet Citrus Pest Control District Board on August 19, followed by door-to-door canvassing and/or direct mail in East Hemet and Valle Vista.
Team LeadPI and Co-PI prepared and delivered presentations; Co-PI led door-to-door canvassing.
OutcomeRecruitment exceeded the 15–20 property goal, with 21 homeowners enrolling voluntarily at no cost and with no obligation to be home during visits.
NotesDoor-to-door canvassing proved an effective substitute for the originally planned evening extension meetings.
Task 2.3 · Completed Sep 1, 2026
Site Identification & Qualification
Each enrolled property was confirmed to have citrus trees and active ACP before inclusion. Every participant signed an itemized Property Access Request form specifying exactly which activities they authorized — releases, trap hanging, tap samples, leaf collection, tree tagging, and photography. The final list of 21 participants (11 release sites and 10 control sites, 42+ citrus trees) was submitted to DPR on September 1, 2026.
Team LeadCo-PI, assisted by the PI, conducted site visits and ACP monitoring; Dr. Greg Simmons drew on prior work in the Hemet area.
Outcome21 qualified residences enrolled; ACP activity confirmed at all sites.
NotesThe contingency to recruit in Mentone or Yucaipa (San Bernardino County) was not needed.
Task 2.4 · Launched Sep 2026
Project Website — acpsit.com
The project website is live at acpsit.com. It features plain-language explanations of ACP, HLB, and SIT; field-cage results; sections for residents and growers; team profiles; bilingual outreach materials to view or download; the quarterly newsletter in English and Spanish; a newsletter sign-up; and an anonymous public opinion questionnaire. Public questions can be sent to info@acpsit.com. The site will be updated quarterly.
Team LeadCo-PI leads content and quarterly updates; PI coordinates hosting and responds to public questions.
OutcomeSuccess will be tracked through visitor counts, material downloads, newsletter readership, and questionnaire responses.
New · Quarterly
Bilingual Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 1 (Summer 2026, July–September) was published in English and Spanish, covering permit approval, outreach materials, site recruitment, and the first open-field releases. Newsletters are posted on the website each quarter and emailed to anyone who requests them at info@acpsit.com.
Team LeadProject team.
OutcomeReadership will be tracked through website visits and email requests.
Tasks 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 · Fall 2026–Fall 2027
Weekly Release Resident Communication
The first round of releases began September 4, 2026, at 11 release sites, with weekly releases continuing through October 22, 2026 (8 releases total). Participants are contacted 24–48 hours before each visit, and staff answer questions on site. Sterile psyllids are marked with a fluorescent powder so they can be told apart from wild psyllids during monitoring. After the final release, participants receive a handout describing the monthly monitoring visits through February 2027. The same process will repeat in spring and fall 2027.
Team LeadCo-PI, assisted by a lab assistant, conducts releases and monitoring and liaises with participants on scheduling.
OutcomeGoal: maintain access to all release and control sites for the full project.
NotesIf a locked gate prevents access, staff contact the participant to reschedule. Sites with repeated access issues may be removed from later analyses.
Ongoing · 2026–2028
Public Opinion Questionnaire
An anonymous 10-question online questionnaire measures awareness of SIT and ACP, acceptability of sterile releases, concerns, perceived benefits, and willingness to participate. It complements the pre- and post-meeting surveys planned for the 2028 extension meetings.
Team LeadPI and Co-PI review responses.
OutcomeResponses will show how public understanding and attitudes toward SIT change over the course of the project.
Task 7.1 · Oct 21, 2026
California Citrus Conference
The project will be presented, likely as a poster, at the California Citrus Conference in Visalia, giving an early opportunity to engage growers and stakeholders with the first-round release results.
Team LeadCo-PI drafts the presentation materials for DPR review before the conference.
OutcomeGrower and stakeholder engagement at the conference.
Task 6.1 · Feb–Jun 2028
Extension Meetings with Residents
At least three extension meetings in Hemet and Valle Vista to share project findings, focusing on the potential benefits of SIT for wider ACP control. Pre- and post-meeting voluntary surveys will measure changes in knowledge and perception. Meeting minutes will be submitted to DPR.
Team LeadPI and Co-PI prepare a 20–30 minute presentation; Dr. Matt Daugherty coordinates meetings.
OutcomePre/post survey results and public engagement at meetings.
Task 6.2 · By Jun 15, 2028
Post Final Findings to Website
Final website update with plain-language descriptions of project findings and their relevance to the community, including updated materials for elementary and middle school students. Draft material submitted to DPR by May 15, 2028.
Team LeadCo-PI produces new content; PI responds to public questions.
OutcomeWebsite visitor counts, downloads, and questionnaire responses.
NotesFunding covers hosting through the end of the project; site content may then be moved to the PI's UCR webpage.
Task 6.3 · Feb–Jun 2028
Engage Commercial Growers & Stakeholders
Technology transfer talks to CDFA and USDA-APHIS, and discussion of findings and implications for operational ACP management with commercial grower audiences. Trade magazine article in Citrograph or equivalent.
Tasks 7.1 & 7.3 · 2026–2028
Peer & Industry Publication
Presentations at the California Citrus Conference (fall 2026) and ESA Annual Meeting (fall 2027). Peer-reviewed publications from all project findings submitted by the end of the contract. Trade magazine article planned for spring 2028.
Project Team
The researchers behind the work
Principal Investigator
Paul Rugman-Jones, Ph.D.
Professional Researcher, Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside, with extensive experience in DNA-based identification and population genetics, within the broader context of invasive species management and biological control. Principal Investigator of the ACP-SIT project.
Co-Principal Investigator
Jedeliza Ferrater, Ph.D.
Asst. Project Scientist II, Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside. Co-Principal Investigator and leads the lab, field research operations, outreach material development, and website development of the ACP-SIT project.
Collaborator
Gregory S. Simmons, Ph.D.
Visiting Research Scholar, Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside (former Station Leader, US Department of Agriculture — Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). Manages irradiation facility and protocols. Extensive expertise in SIT, area-wide pest control, and ACP management programs.
Consultant and Data Scientist
Matthew P. Daugherty, Ph.D.
Cooperative Extension Specialist, Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside. Research includes applied population biology with respect to the invasion and management of arthropod pests and vector-borne plant pathogens, greenhouse and field experiments, monitoring programs coupled with population dynamics or statistical modeling.
Looking Ahead
What comes next — and the road to operational deployment
Next steps · Fall 2026 – Spring 2027
Oct 8, 15 & 22, 2026
Complete the fall release round
Final three weekly releases at the 11 Hemet release sites, completing the eight-release fall 2026 window.
Oct 21, 2026
California Citrus Conference
Project presentation in Visalia — an early chance to share first-round progress with growers and stakeholders.
By Oct 31, 2026
Sterilization records to DPR
Data confirming X-ray dose, transport, and storage temperatures for the fall releases.
Nov 2026 – Feb 2027
Monthly monitoring
Monthly ACP surveys at all 21 release and control sites to measure the effect of the fall releases; estimates due to DPR by March 31, 2027.
Ongoing
Permit compliance & community contact
Notifying the Riverside and Monterey County Agricultural Commissioners for each shipment and release under Permit #4304, and keeping participants informed — including in Spanish.
Spring 2027
Second release round
Eight more weekly releases timed to the peak ACP reproductive flush, followed by a third round in fall 2027 and a presence at the 2027 Riverside Insect Fair.
Challenges to operational deployment
Scaling Mass-Rearing
The pilot requires roughly 16,000 sterile adults every week during a release round. An operational SIT program serving Southern California would need orders of magnitude more. Dedicated greenhouse infrastructure, and possibly an artificial rearing diet, remain open research questions.
Irradiation Capacity & Logistics
Each release depends on a round trip between UCR and the USDA-APHIS irradiation facility in Salinas, with every shipment and release reported to county agricultural commissioners. This works at research scale; operational programs will need regional irradiation capacity to manage cost and logistics.
Open-Environment Performance
Cage trials exclude natural enemies and immigrating wild psyllids. The fall 2026 releases are now testing the central question: how do sterile ACP perform when wild psyllids move freely and Tamarixia radiata is active? Monitoring through February 2027 will give the first answers.
Community Access & Sustained Trust
Twenty-one households have opened their yards to the project through March 2028. Keeping that access — through advance notice of every visit, bilingual communication, the quarterly newsletter, and prompt answers at info@acpsit.com — is the most important non-scientific factor in the project's success.
Institutional Partners
University of California, Riverside
CA Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
USDA-APHIS-PPQ
CA Dept. of Food & Agriculture
DPR Contract No. 25-C0078
This project was funded by the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The contents may not necessarily reflect the official views and policies of the State of California.
