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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300156

Title: A global comparison of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) microbial communities

Author
item ARP, ALEX - University Of Florida
item Munyaneza, Joseph - Joe
item Crosslin, James
item TRUMBLE, JOHN - University Of California
item BEXTINE, BLAKE - University Of Texas

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2014
Publication Date: 4/5/2014
Citation: Arp, A., Munyaneza, J.E., Crosslin, J., Trumble, J., Bextine, B. 2014. A global comparison of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) microbial communities. Environmental Entomology. 43(2):344-352.

Interpretive Summary: The potato psyllid is a serious insect pest of potato and other important crops in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and New Zealand. Researchers at USDA-ARS Wapato and Prosser in Washington, in collaboration with scientists at University of Florida, University of California, and University of Texas determined microbes that are associated with the potato psyllid and essential to the survival of this insect. Two bacteria were identified as the most important microbes associated with the potato psyllid. Information from this research will help potato producers effectively manage this insect pest by targeting its associated microbes.

Technical Abstract: The potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli Sulc) is an economically important insect pest of solanaceous crops such as potato, tomato, pepper, and tobacco. Historically, the potato psyllid’s range included central United States, Mexico, and California; more recently, populations of this insect have been reported in Central America, the Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand. Like most phytophagous insects, potato psyllids require symbiotic bacteria to compensate for nutritional deficiencies in their diet. Potato psyllids harbor the primary symbiont, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii, and may also harbor many secondary symbionts such as Wolbachia sp., Sodalis sp., Pseudomonas sp., and others. These secondary symbionts can have an effect on reproduction, nutrition, immune response, and resistances to heat or pesticides. To identify regional differences in potato psyllid bacterial symbionts, 454 pyrosequencing was performed using generic 16S rRNA gene primers. Analysis was performed using the Qiime 1.6.0 software suite, ARB Silva, and R. OTUs were then grouped at 95% identity. Representative sequences were classified to genus using the ARB SILVA database. Potato psyllids collected in California contained a less diverse microbial community than those collected in the central United States and Central America. The crop variety, collection year, and haplotype did not seem to affect the microbial community in potato psyllids. The primary difference between psyllids in different regions was the presence and overall bacterial community composition of Candidatus Carsonella ruddii and Wolbachia.