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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304294
Title: Behavioral plasticity in Diaphorina citri feeding on different citrus tissues

Author
item EBERT, TIMOTHY - University Of Florida
item Backus, Elaine
item ROGERS, MICHAEL - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2014
Publication Date: 6/22/2014
Citation: Ebert, T., Backus, E.A., Rogers, M. 2014. Behavioral plasticity in Diaphorina citri feeding on different citrus tissues. In: Proceedings of the Hemipteran-Plant Interactions Symposium. p.32.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), a phloem-limited bacterial pathogen of citrus. While psyllid nymphs are obligate feeders on young flush leaves, adults can be found on leaves of any age. To understand risk of transmission of CLas, it is important to understand how feeding behavior changes on citrus leaves of different ages. Psyllid feeding was recorded using an AC-DC Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) monitor, on abaxial or adaxial leaf surfaces of old or young citrus leaves. Psyllids were more likely to ingest from phloem if on an abaxial leaf surface or on a young leaf. Cell types selected for ingestion were more diverse on both adaxial surfaces and older leaves, with a likely preference for xylem cells. The effect of leaf age had a greater influence on ingestion than did the effect of abaxial/adaxial surface. Results support the hypothesis that transmission of CLas is more likely to occur on abaxial surfaces of young leaves than on adaxial surfaces of older leaves.