More Killer Ladybugs to Fight Eucalyptus Pest

As part of a continuing battle against an infestation of Australian insects plaguing eucalyptus trees, starting in July the city will release 6 million more ladybug beetles to fight the pests.

The ladybugs will be released in city parks and some public street locations.

Last month, more than 2 million ladybugs were released into 75 eucalyptus trees at Valley Village Park under a pilot program.

Park officials had found ladybugs feeding on the insects, called redgum lerp psyllids, and hoped to control the infestation by increasing the number of beetles.

“[The beetles] have had some success. They are still thriving and keeping the population down of the psyllids,” said Kevin W. Regan, chief arborist for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. “But I have to be cautious because it’s a statewide problem.”

The psyllids were discovered last year in El Monte. Since then, they have infested eucalyptus trees throughout much of California. The pests suck the juices out of healthy leaves, depleting trees of nutrients and causing defoliation.

The Department of Recreation and Parks plans to release as many as 4 million beetles in two or three Valley parks, Regan said. Working with the Los Angeles Public Works Department Street Tree Division, officials hope to release 2 million more ladybugs into eucalyptus trees on public streets, he said.

In an experimental program, the city injected about 10 trees in Griffith Park with a pesticide, with some success controlling the psyllids, Regan said.

“It is kind of an emergency and crisis situation, and we may need some help from the City Council to increase funding for this project,” he said.

It will cost about $6,000 to release the 6 million ladybugs, Regan said. A ladybug eats about 40 psyllids a day.