The influence of bacteria on multitrophic interactions among plants, psyllids, and pathogen

Abstract

The recent emergence of several plant diseases caused by psyllid-borne bacterial pathogens worldwide (Candidatus Liberibacter spp.) has created renewed interest on the interaction between psyllids and bacteria. In spite of these efforts to understand psyllid association with bacteria, many aspects of their interactions remain poorly understood. As more organisms are studied, subtleties on the molecular interactions as well as on the effects of the bacteria on the psyllid host are being uncovered. Additionally, psyllid-borne bacterial phytopathogens can also affect the host plant, which in turn can impact psyllid physiology and behavior. Here, we review the current literature on different aspects of the influence of bacteria on multitrophic interactions among plants, psyllids, and pathogens. We then highlight gaps that need to be addressed to advance this field, which can have significant implications for controlling these newly emergent and other plant diseases.

The promises and challenges of research on plant–insect–microbe interactions

“…In particular, they provide growing evidence that insect symbioses are dynamically regulated over the insect lifespan to adjust nutritional requirements. Tamborindeguy et al (2017) reviewed the psyllid associated bacteria and their impacts on psyllids, plants, and psyllid-plant interactions. The authors not only compiled the information on psyllid transmitted plant pathogens but also reviewed the studies on psyllid associated bacterial symbionts and their influence on psyllid biology.…”

“…Understanding the full interplay of how each of these three partners manipulates and responds to the other two in such vectored plant disease systems is perhaps the biggest challenge of all (Webster et al, 2017;Zhou et al, 2017). On top of that, insect endosymbionts have been shown to affect the success of both vector and vectored disease (Tamborindeguy et al, 2017) and hence have become target for manipulation to limit vector-borne diseases (Berasategui et al, 2016). In general, the strong impacts of endosymbionts on nutritional requirements, digestive and detoxification abilities, stress protection, and ecological niche of their insect hosts (Skidmore & Hansen, 2017;Zhang et al, 2017) have spurred interest in how to manipulate them to increase the success of beneficial insects or reduce the performance of pest insects, another big challenge in the field.…”

Effects of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” (haplotype B) on Bactericera cockerelli fitness and vitellogenesis

“…Many plant pathogenic bacteria depend on insect vectors to spread between hosts (Weintraub & Beanland, ; Orlovskis et al ., ; Perilla‐Henao & Casteel, ; Tamborindeguy et al ., ). The association between the microorganism and the insect can result in numerous symbiotic interactions that can affect the insect fitness; these associations have been well described in the literature as mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism (Leung & Poulin, ; Su et al ., ; Solomon et al ., ).…”

“…Email: ctamborindeguy@tamu.edu * These authors contributed equally to this work and both should be considered first authors. Tamborindeguy et al, 2017). The association between the microorganism and the insect can result in numerous symbiotic interactions that can affect the insect fitness; these associations have been well described in the literature as mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism (Leung & Poulin, 2008;Su et al, 2013;Solomon et al, 2015).…”

Concanavalin A Toxicity Towards Potato Psyllid and Apoptosis Induction in Midgut Cells

“…Among hemipteran insects, the potato psyllid (also known as the tomato psyllid), Bactericera cockerelli, is a serious pest of solanaceous crops. This insect species is a phloem feeder that can directly affect plant growth, and also can transmit the phloem-limited bacterium, 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) [24]. Presently, two Lso haplotypes (LsoA and LsoB) have been identified in North America.…”