Climate change mitigation and seasonal infestation patterns of citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri: implications for managing huanglongbing (HLB) disease in tangerine citrus

Abstract

The citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a recognized vector of the devastating Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus plants, posing a significant threat to global citrus production. As climate change continues to influence agroecological conditions, comprehending the population dynamics of this vector is imperative for effective disease management. This study delved into the relationship between climate variations and D. citri infestation patterns in tangerine citrus orchards from January to December 2018. Leveraging a dataset of 12 monthly observation sets, we comprehensively analyzed the abundance of the citrus psyllid population. Our investigation unveiled a clear association between climate variability and the incidence of citrus psyllid infestations and HLB occurrences. Importantly, our findings revealed that D. citri infestations were confined to the budding phase. Contrary to expectations, rainfall and temperature did not correlate positively with the development of the D. citri population or the prevalence of HLB disease in tangerine citrus. These results suggest other factors significantly affect HLB spread, impacting disease management. Further research is needed to identify and understand these factors, providing valuable insights for mitigating climate change’s impact on citrus cultivation.