Emerging New Crop Pests: Ecological Modelling and Analysis of the South American Potato Psyllid Russelliana solanicola (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) and Its Wild Relatives

Abstract

Food security is threatened by newly emerging pests with increased invasive potential accelerated through globalization. The Neotropical jumping plant louse Russelliana solanicola Tuthill is currently a localized potato pest and probable vector of plant pathogens. It is an unusually polyphagous species and is widely distributed in and along the Andes. To date, introductions have been detected in eastern Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. Species distribution models (SDMs) and trait comparisons based on contemporary and historical collections are used to estimate the potential spread of R. solanicola worldwide. We also extend our analyses to all described species in the genus Russelliana in order to assess the value of looking beyond pest species to predict pest spread. We investigate the extent to which data on geographical range and environmental niche can be effectively extracted from museum collections for comparative analyses of pest and non-pest species in Russelliana. Our results indicate that R. solanicola has potential for invasion in many parts of the world with suitable environmental conditions that currently have or are anticipated to increase potato cultivation. Large geographical ranges are characteristic of a morphological subgeneric taxon group that includes R. solanicola; this same group also has a larger environmental breadth than other groups within the genus. Ecological modelling using museum collections provides a useful tool for identifying emerging pests and developing integrated pest management programs.

Phenotypic Diversity and Pest Management of Potato Varieties Grown at Baffa Mansehra

“…Our results further disclosed that, despite the highest infestation rates of all insects, the peak development of Lacetta and SH-5 proved that these varieties are most resistant/tolerant, while the minimum growth of Hannat white with the highest infestation rates for Aphid (14.43), Leafhopper (17.72), Thrips (7.22) and Whitefly (12.97) found this range to be more prone to different insects/pests. These findings are consistent with Syfert et al [47], who found that these species were more likely to be impacted by insects.…”

The unrealized potential of herbaria for global change biology

“…In a number of studies, researchers have used similar approaches to explore effects of global change on antagonistic interactions between plants and their associates by extracting data on herbivores, herbivory, and plant pathogens (Malmstrom et al , 2007; Lees et al , 2011; Youngsteadt et al , 2015; Syfert et al ., 2017). However, methods remain relatively underdeveloped.…”

Acizzia errabunda sp. nov. and Ctenarytaina insularis sp. nov.: Descriptions of two new species of psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) discovered on exotic host plants in New Zealand

“…[3–7]). This, coupled with climate change and globalization, has raised the risk of these species reaching areas and countries that would have not been inhabited a few decades ago [8–10]. As a consequence, psyllid taxonomy and systematics is of primary importance, not only for a better understanding of worldwide biodiversity, but also in order to recognise new or invasive species essential for international biosecurity and plant protection.…”