Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
Project Number: 2092-22000-022-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2020
End Date: May 31, 2024
Objective:
Use molecular tools to assay predator specimens for evidence of having fed on potato psyllid; and, collect and rear psyllid mummies (parasitized nymphs) to determine species of parasites attacking potato psyllid in weedy hosts of the psyllid.
Approach:
(1) Collect predator specimens from weedy hosts of potato psyllid, identify to species, and assay using molecular tools to determine which species harbor DNA of the target prey (potato psyllid). Rank predator species as to importance as psyllid predators based upon the molecular assays. (2) Collect psyllid mummies (parasitized nymphs) from weedy hosts, allow parasite to emerge, and identify using available keys and by comparison with housed specimens.
