Functional biodiversity for organic citrus pest control in Mediterranean regions

Supports sustainable citrus farming in the Mediterranean by enhancing functional biodiversity through hedges, cover crops, and flower strips to boost natural enemies like syrphids, lacewings, parasitoids, coccinellids, and true bugs. Addresses pests including mealybugs, aphids, thrips, spider mites, and HLB-transmitting Trioza erytreae. Recommends multi-layered hedges with native species such as laurel, mastic, hawthorn, cornus, strawberry tree, and aladierno, plus drought-resistant grasses and nitrogen-fixing legumes for cover crops. Flower strips with long-blooming plants like marigold, chamomile, lobularia, rosemary, thyme, and sage support pest control. Part of the Horizon Europe-funded BIOFRUITNET project (2022), promoting organic and ecological pest management, reducing chemical reliance, improving soil health and biodiversity. Resources available in English and Spanish at organic-farmknowledge.org and biofruitnet.eu.