Suitability of native North American Rutaceae to serve as host plants for the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Abstract

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a vector of citrus huanglongbing, is now present in all citrus-producing states in the USA and Mexico. In addition to citrus, the insect can reproduce on several other plant species in the Rutaceae family; orange jasmine (Murraya spp.) and curry leaf (Bergera koenigii) are among its preferred hosts. There are several indigenous Rutaceae species in North America, and some are popular ornamentals. A study was therefore initiated to determine the suitability of some of these plants for feeding and development of the psyllid in choice and no-choice experiments. D. citri was found to reproduce successfully on Choisya ternata, C. arizonica and Helietta parvifolia in no-choice tests, but preferentially selected orange jasmine and curry leaf for feeding and reproduction, in choice tests. On Amyris madrensis, A. texana and Zanthoxylum fagara, adult psyllids laid eggs which hatched, but no successful nymphal development was recorded beyond the first instars. No oviposition was recorded on Esenbeckia berlandieri, Ptelea trifoliata and Casimiroa tetrameria, although adult psyllids were able to survive on these species for several days. Results showed that C. ternata, C. arizonica and H. parvifolia can serve host plants of D. citri and this constitutes the first report of these plants serving as host for D. citri. The findings of the present study suggest that native rutaceous host plants can serve as host plants and thus affect D. citri population dynamics and the epidemiology of Huanglongbing, the deadly citrus greening disease whose pathogen is vectored by D. citri. Thus, area-wide management of this pest also should target these riparian habitats where these host plants are present with D. citri biological control agents for sustainable management of this pest.

Host suitability and feeding preference of the African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae), natural vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter africanus”

“…The growth index, that is, the effect of nutritional quality of host plants on the survival rate and development times of insects (Sétamou et al, 2015(Sétamou et al, , 1999, was highest in M. koenigii followed by Diaphorina citri, a close relative of ACT reproduction, differed significantly when reared on different host plants (Pimpinato et al, 2017). In general, plant quality influences the growth, development and reproductive potential of insects (Slansky & Scriber, 1985).…”

“…The growth index, that is, the effect of nutritional quality of host plants on the survival rate and development times of insects (Sétamou et al, ), was highest in M. koenigii followed by C. anisata and T. nobilis . Similarly, number of emerged nymphs and the number of emerging adults were highest in M. koenigii followed by C. anisata and then T. nobilis .…”

“…A survey conducted in Ethiopia found ACT on S. abyssinica, Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (Rosaceae) and F. sycomorus (Abate, 1988), probably a reflection of the nutritional composition of S. abyssinica and the other plants (Sétamou, Graça, & Sandoval, 2015). In contrast, Aubert (1987) reported that ACT reproduction is confined to rutaceous plants (Aubert, 1987).…”

Distribution, degree of damage and risk of spread of Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in Kenya

“…Although volatiles have been implicated in the attraction of psyllids for feeding and reproduction, other factors such as the nutritional status of the host plant cannot be overlooked. For instance, Sétamou, Graça, and Sandoval () observed that D. citri , when raised on different host plants, showed considerable variation in terms of feeding and reproductive preferences.…”

“…However, we found higher mean numbers of ACT immature stages (eggs and nymphs), galls and infested leaves on citrumelo than on the other cultivars, which might be partially attributed to volatiles produced by citrumelo. This For instance, Sétamou, Graça, and Sandoval (2016) observed that D. citri, when raised on different host plants, showed considerable variation in terms of feeding and reproductive preferences.…”