Skip to main content
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 #313377
Title: Effect of plant barriers and citrus leaf age on dispersal of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Author
item TOMASETO, ARTHUR - Universidad De Sao Paulo
item Krugner, Rodrigo
item LOPES, JOAO - Universidad De Sao Paulo

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2015
Publication Date: 6/25/2015
Citation: Tomaseto, A.F., Krugner, R., Lopes, J.R. 2015. Effect of plant barriers and citrus leaf age on dispersal of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Journal of Applied Entomology. Available online: doi:10.1111/jen.12249

Interpretive Summary: Huanglongbing (HLB) is currently the most devastating disease of citrus in the world. The disease is associated with bacteria, “Candidatus Liberibacter africanus”, “Ca. L. americanus”, and “Ca. L. asiaticus”. These bacteria are spread by grafting using infected plant material or insect vectors such as the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Current HLB management strategy includes insecticide applications to suppress vector populations and frequent removal of infected plants to reduce sources of inocula. Studies on dispersal of D. citri are important to provide epidemiological knowledge necessary to design both area-wide and in-farm management practices. Little is known about the effects of plant barriers and other crop factors on dispersal of D. citri. Thus, the present work investigated whether 1) host or non-host plant barriers and 2) presence or absence of new citrus shoots influence movement of D. citri toward citrus plants. Dense plantings of tall non-host plants of D. citri such as corn had no effect on insect dispersal toward citrus plants when compared to a shorter cover crop such as grass. In contrast, suitable host plants acted as traps decreasing movement of D. citri. Diaphorina citri dispersed farther in the absence of young leaves, reaching 140 m within 6 hours after release. In the presence of young leaves, individuals dispersed up to 60 m at 1 day after release. Results suggest that D. citri control measures may be more efficient during periods of highest vegetative activity when insects are less active. Moreover, the use of suitable host plants for D. citri as trap plants may be a potential tactic to reduce movement of insects into the crop.

Technical Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies designed to measure dispersal capacity of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) are needed to provide epidemiological knowledge necessary to improve management of citrus Huanglongbing. In the present study, a mark-release-recapture technique was used to investigate whether 1) host or non-host plants of D. citri can act as barriers for dispersing insects; and 2) presence or absence of young citrus leaves influence movement of D. citri toward citrus plants. RESULTS: Dense plantings of tall non-host plants of D. citri such as corn had no effect on insect dispersal toward citrus plants when compared to a shorter cover crop such as grass. In contrast, suitable host plants acted as traps decreasing movement of D. citri. Diaphorina citri dispersed at greater speeds in the absence of young leaves, reaching 140 m within 6 hours after release, whereas in the presence of young leaves individuals reached at most 60 m at 1 day after release. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that D. citri control measures may be more efficient during periods of highest vegetative activity when insects are less active. Moreover, the use of suitable host plants for D. citri as trap plants may be a potential tactic to prevent movement of insects into the crop.