Curry leaf smells better than citrus to females of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphorina citri</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Kuwayama has a host range of about 20 species of the family Rutaceae, including Citrus spp. However, few studies have reported on its host preference. This study evaluated the host-choice behavior of ACP in curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.), through free-choice test and bioassays with a type ‘Y’ olfactometer, and also characterized the volatiles involved in attracting the ACP. In the free-choice test, the number of adults per plant on curry leaf was higher than the number on citrus plants. When the ACP was tested in the olfactometer, the females showed preference for curry leaf over citrus plants. Sixteen volatile compounds were identified in citrus and curry leaves. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the compounds released by citrus and curry leaves were determined. The volatiles present in these hosts may play an important role in the attraction of D. citri. With this information, further studies should be done to develop new management strategies for the ACP.     

Secondary hosts of the Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri Kuwayama: Survivorship and preference

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is the most economically important and difficult to manage citrus pest in Florida due to its role as vector of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. Spread of the disease is a function of dispersal patterns and thus influenced by availability of suitable hosts. Young leaves of citrus or related plants are required for reproduction, but in their absence, secondary hosts may provide needed resources to enhance survival. Therefore, survivorship on and preference for three abundant weed species was investigated. The suitability of potential secondary host plants Bidens alba (L.), DC, Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacqu.) P. H. Raven, and Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small was compared to a reproductive host, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, in no‐choice tests by assessing survivorship of D. citri adults confined to these plants in cages. Preference was evaluated by choice tests where D. citri adults were released into cages containing all three secondary hosts alone or with M. paniculata. Both B. alba and E. capillifolium increased D. citri survivorship by twofold compared to starvation conditions with only water available. Choice trials revealed no difference in initial selection between true and secondary hosts; however, the true host was favoured over time. This result suggested that hosts were selected initially by sight, and only later by taste and/or smell. While secondary hosts are unable to support reproduction or long‐term survival, these findings establish the ability of D. citri to use secondary hosts that are ubiquitous in Florida citrus groves as temporary reservoirs for food and moisture when ideal host conditions are scarce or absent.     

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

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.     

Presence and abundance of Diaphorina citri in Murraya paniculata in urban areas free of huanglongbing in Brazil

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is the vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter sp., a quarantine pathogen in citrus production areas such as Australia, Europe, and northeast Brazil, associated with huanglongbing (HLB). The psyllids’ preferred host is Murraya paniculata (L.) Jacq. (Rutaceae), an ornamental plant native to Asia and Oceania, and commonly found in urban areas next to citrus groves around the world. As there are insecticide application restrictions for urban areas, monitoring and use of biological control to suppress ACP are essential for an area-wide HLB management strategy, especially for production areas predominantly composed of small citrus farms. For this, it is necessary to understand the occurrence cycles of ACP and vegetative flush of the ornamental host. This study characterized the occurrence cycles of M. paniculata flush shoot and accumulated rainfall, and the association with ACP presence (proportion of monitored trees) and abundance (per tree) in a Brazilian urban area free of HLB. A 3-year time series was constructed using spectral and co-spectral analysis. Spectral analysis showed the occurrence of at least seven flush shoot cycles of M. paniculata, nearly 10 ACP presence and abundance cycles, and monthly cycles of accumulated rainfall. Cycles of ACP presence were associated with ACP abundance, with ACP presence cycles occurring around 7 days before ACP abundance cycles and the correlation and co-spectral analyses indicated an almost simultaneous occurrence of the main cycles of M. paniculata flush shoots and ACP occurrence. These findings will facilitate the development of an ACP biological control program based on parasitoid releases in urban areas in HLB-free citrus groves.     

Effect of host‐plant and infection with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ on honeydew chemical composition of the Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), transmits the citrus greening pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) by feeding on citrus phloem sap. Because phloem sap is rich in sugars but low in amino acids, ACP sucks large quantities and excretes most of it as honeydew. We studied the chemical composition of ACP honeydew on various host plants. Honeydew samples were analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Fourteen sugars, 13 amino acids, and six organic acids were detected in the honeydew of ACP. Sugars composed about 95% of the total compounds. Sucrose and trehalose were the predominant sugars, composing about 58 and 23% of the total sugars, respectively. Proline, asparagine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid were the most abundant amino acids in ACP honeydew. The host plant and its infection with CLas had some effect on the honeydew composition. Glucose, chiro‐inositol, myo‐inositol, inositol, maltose, and turanose were lower in honeydew collected from CLas‐infected citrus compared to that collected from non‐infected trees. In CLas‐infected citrus (pineapple sweet orange, Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and Bergera koenigii (L.) Spreng. [curry leaf tree (both Rutaceae)] honeydews, valine, alanine, serine, glutamine, glycine, and the organic acids were lower than in honeydew from healthy citrus. Mannose, galactose, inositol, mannitol, an unknown disaccharide, and proline were higher in the honeydew collected from B. koenigii than in honeydew collected from healthy citrus (pineapple sweet orange), whereas fructose, chiro‐inositol, myo‐inositol, trehalose, and lactic acid were lower. The findings of this study help us understand the metabolism and the nutrient needs of ACP that transmits CLas, the pathogen of huanglongbing in citrus.     

Morphology and function of ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of female Asian citrus psyllid

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera:Psyllidae), is one of the most important pests of citrus plants worldwide, due to be the dominant vector of the devastating citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB). Selection of suitable oviposition site is a crucial event of phytophagous insect life. Usually, the chemical and physical characteristics of a host plant were recognized by sensilla on the ovipositor and tarsi of a phytophagous insect after settling on a plant surface. In this study, the morphology, number, and distribution pattern of the ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of adult female psyllids, were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effect of these sensilla on oviposition was investigated by sensilla deactivation using hydrochloric acid (HCl). The results showed that sensilla trichoid (ST), sensilla chaetica (ChS) and sensilla basiconica (SB) were distributed on ovipositor, while sensilla trichoid (ST) were distributed on the external genitalia. Sensilla chaetica (ChS) and basiconica (SB) were mainly distributed on the end of the ovipositor back plate, and on the base of the sternum. On tarsus, sensilla trichoid (ST), sensilla chaetica (ChS), sensilla triangular (TeS) and sensilla ear ball (SE) were observed. However, whole tarsal segments were covered with Böhm's mane, which was arranged in a circular line. Oviposition assay revealed that a significantly lower number of eggs were laid on the Murraya paniculata seedlings confined by the psyllids with deactivated ovipositorial sensilla followed by protarsal sensilla, mesotarsal sensilla and hindtarsal sensilla. These results suggested that the ovipositorial and tarsal sensilla of citrus psyllid have an important role in the oviposition.     

Biology of Diaphorina citri (Homoptera: Psyllidae) on four host plants

The biology of the citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was studied at 25 degrees C on four commonly grown citrus and related plants [rough lemon, Citrus jambhiri Lush; sour orange, C aurantium L.; grapefruit, C. paradisi Macfadyen; and orange jessamine, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] in the laboratory. The biological characteristics of each life stage are described. The average egg incubation periods on orange jessamine, grapefruit, rough lemon, and sour orange varied very little (4.1-4.2 d). The average nymphal developmental periods on these four host plants were essentially the same except the fifth stadium. Survival of immatures on orange jessamine, grapefruit, rough lemon, and sour orange was 75.4, 84.6, 78.3, and 68.6%, respectively. Female adults lived an average of 39.7, 39.7, 47.6, and 43.7 d on these respective host plants. The average number of eggs laid per female on grapefruit (858 eggs) was significantly more than those on other hosts (P < 0.05). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for D. citri on grapefruit was highest. Jackknife estimates of r(m) varied from 0.188 on grapefruit to 0.162 on orange jessamine and rough lemon. The mean population generation time on these hosts ranged from 31.6 to 34.1 d. The continuous flushes produced by orange jessamine could play an important role in maintaining high populations of this vector when the new flushes are not available in the commercial citrus groves.     

Somatic hybrid plantlets regeneration between Citrus and its wild relative, Murraya paniculata via protoplast electrofusion

Protoplasts isolated from `Page' tangelo (Minneola tangelo × clementine) cell suspension cultures were electrically fused with mesophyll protoplasts of orange jessamine [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack]. Shoots were regenerated after 6 – 10 months of culture, but they were extremely recalcitrant to producing roots in root-induction medium. Complete plantlets were formed via micrografting. Chromosome counting of shoot tips revealed they were tetraploids (2n = 4x = 36). Glutamateoxaloacetate transaminase isozyme and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis confirmed their hybridity. Orange jessamine is immune to citrus huanglongbin, a severe disease of citrus, but sexual incompatibility and limited graft compatibility exist between Citrus and orange jessamine. The cell fusion technique may make it possible to transfer the huanglongbin resistance trait from orange jessamine to Citrus. Received: 17 January 1998 / Revision received: 12 June 1998 / Accepted: 14 July 1998     

Two new hosts of anamorphic Erysiphe quercicola: Cinnamomum camphora and Murraya paniculata

Based on collections of powdery mildews (Erysiphales) in Taiwan and combined molecular and morphological analyses, camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) are recognized as new hosts of the anamorph of the powdery mildew Erysiphe quercicola. The anamorphic powdery mildew on C. camphora has been known as Pseudoidium cinnamomi, but its relationship to a teleomorph was unknown. For M. paniculata as substrate of powdery mildew, only an anamorphic Cystotheca species has been named. Morphological investigation of the fungus on this host shows that the specimens from Taiwan belong to another genus because of the lack of fibrosin bodies. Analysis of internal transcribed spacer sequences indicates that the anamorphic powdery mildews on camphor and orange jasmine belong to a clade representing E. quercicola, with the teleomorph found only on oak species (Quercus, Fagaceae), but with its anamorph reported from a broad host range, particularly in the tropics.     

Effect of host deprivation on the foraging behavior of the Asian citrus psyllid parasitoid Tamarixia radiata: observations from the laboratory and the field

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is a significant citrus pest and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has been released in various citrus‐producing areas in classical biological control programs targeting D. citri. We investigated the effect of host deprivation on the foraging behavior and patch utilization by T. radiata. In the laboratory, females deprived of hosts for 3 days tended to leave patches of 12 nymphs without parasitizing hosts during the ca. 30 min they spent in the patch before leaving. Moreover, half of these females failed to host feed, and those that did host feed, on average, needed more than 15 min to complete feeding. Conversely, non‐host‐deprived females parasitized on average three nymphs before leaving patches without host feeding during the ca. 39 min they spent in the patch. These laboratory observations were compared to mass‐reared female T. radiata that were released onto colonies of D. citri nymphs infesting citrus in the field. Release vials were provisioned with honey and these females had no opportunities to host feed over the 1‐ to 2‐day containment period prior to release. When introduced onto D. citri colonies, 68% T. radiata females abandoned D. citri patches prior to probing hosts, in part, because Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), tending colonies disturbed searching parasitoids. These results from laboratory and field studies are discussed in the context of classical biological control, with the aim of understanding how to manipulate host availability and ant activity so establishment rates and impact of T. radiata can be improved.     

Isolation and characterization of an Isaria fumosorosea isolate infecting the Asian citrus psyllid in Florida

A fungal pathogen that killed adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Florida citrus groves during the fall of 2005 was identified and characterized. Investigation of this pathogen is important because D. citri vectors citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), which was reported in Florida in 2005. The morphological and genetic data generated herein support identification of the fungus as Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Ifr) (=Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) from the Asian citrus psyllid (Ifr AsCP). Koch’s postulates were fulfilled after the fungus was isolated in vitro and transmitted to healthy psyllids, which then exhibited a diseased-phenotype similar to that observed in the field. Both in vitro growth characteristics and two Ifr AsCP-specific molecular markers discriminated the psyllid pathogen from another local Ifr isolate, Ifr 97 Apopka. These molecular markers will be useful to track the dynamics of this disease in D. citri populations. The potential for utilizing Ifr to complement existing psyllid pest management strategies is discussed.     

Coumarin-related Compounds as Plant Growth Inhibitors from Two Rutaceous Plants in Thailand

Chemical investigation of naturally occurring plant growth inhibitors from Rutaceous plants in Thailand led us to identify five 7-methoxycoumarins and one 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin from Murraya paniculata, and six furanocoumarins from Citrus aurantifolia. Of these compounds, murranganon senecioate (1) is a new natural compound found in M. paniculata. Minumicrolin (6) was found to be highly active against the 2nd leaf sheath elongation of rice seedlings.     

Effects of different temperature regimes on survival of Diaphorina citri and its endosymbiotic bacterial communities

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a major pest of citrus and vector of citrus greening (huanglongbing) in Asian. In our field‐collected psyllid samples, we discovered that Fuzhou (China) and Faisalabad (Pakistan), populations harbored an obligate primary endosymbiont Candidatus Carsonella (gen. nov.) with a single species, Candidatus Carsonella ruddii (sp. nov.) and a secondary endosymbiont, Wolbachia surface proteins (WSP) which are intracellular endosymbionts residing in the bacteriomes. Responses of these symbionts to different temperatures were examined and their host survival assessed. Diagnostic PCR assays showed that the endosymbionts infection rates were not significantly reduced in both D. citri populations after 24 h exposure to cold or heat treatments. Although quantitative PCR assays showed significant reduction of WSP relative densities at 40°C for 24 h, a substantial decrease occurred as the exposure duration increased beyond 3 days. Under the same temperature regimes, Ca. C. ruddii density was initially less affected during the first exposure day, but rapidly reduced at 3–5 days compared to WSP. However, the mortality of the psyllids increased rapidly as exposure time to heat treatment increased. The responses of the two symbionts to unfavorable temperature regimes highlight the complex host‐symbionts interactions between D. citri and its associated endosymbionts.     

Establishment of Asian citrus psyllid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaphorina citri</Emphasis>) primary cultures

The Asian citrus psyllid (AsCP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a highly competent vector of the phloem-inhabiting bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus associated with the citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB). Commonly referred to as citrus greening disease in the USA, HLB causes reduced fruit yields, quality, and ultimately tree death and is considered the most serious citrus disease. HLB has become a major limiting factor to the production of citrus worldwide. Studies of HLB have been impeded by the fact that C. Liberibacter has not yet been cultured on artificial nutrient media. After being acquired by a psyllid, C. Liberibacter asiaticus is reported to replicate within the psyllid and is retained by the psyllid throughout its life span. We therefore hypothesized that C. Liberibacter asiaticus could be cultured in vitro using psyllid cell cultures as the medium and investigated the establishment of a pure culture for AsCP cells. Several commercially available insect cell culture media along with some media we developed were screened for viability to culture cells from AsCP embryos. Cells from psyllid tissues adhered to the plate and migration was observed within 24 h. Cells were maintained at 20°C. We successfully established primary psyllid cell cultures, referred to as DcHH-1, for D. citri Hert-Hunter-1, with a new media, Hert-Hunter-70.     

Guava leaf volatiles and dimethyl disulphide inhibit response of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama to host plant volatiles

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vectors the causal pathogen of huanglongbing (HLB), which is likely the most important disease affecting worldwide citrus production. Interplanting citrus with guava, Psidium guajava L., was reported to reduce D. citri populations and incidence of HLB. We describe a series of investigations on the response of D. citri to citrus volatiles with and without guava leaf volatiles and to synthetic dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), in laboratory olfactometers and in the field. Volatiles from guava leaves significantly inhibited attraction of D. citri to normally attractive host‐plant (citrus) volatiles. A similar level of inhibition was recorded when synthetic DMDS was co‐released with volatiles from citrus leaves. In addition, the volatile mixture emanating from a combination of intact citrus and intact guava leaves induced a knock‐down effect on adult D. citri. Compounds similar to DMDS including dipropyl disulphide, ethyl‐1‐propyl disulphide, and diethyl disulphide did not affect the behavioural response of D. citri to attractive citrus host plant volatiles. Head‐space volatile analyses were conducted to compare sulphur volatile profiles of citrus and guava, used in our behavioural assays, with a gas chromatography‐pulsed flame photometric detector. DMDS, produced by wounded guava in our olfactometer assays, was not produced by similarly wounded citrus. The airborne concentration of DMDS that induced the behavioural effect in the 4‐choice olfactometer was 107 pg/ml. In a small plot field experiment, populations of D. citri were significantly reduced by deployment of synthetic DMDS from polyethylene vials compared with untreated control plots. Our results verify that guava leaf volatiles inhibit the response of D. citri to citrus host plant volatiles and suggest that the induced compound, DMDS, may be partially responsible for this effect. Also, we show that field deployment of DMDS reduces densities of D. citri and thus may have potential as a novel control strategy.     

Differences in learning between wild and laboratory Ceratitis capitata flies

Laboratory-reared and wild-collected adult female Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, were exposed to two host fruit species, sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) and mock orange (Murraya paniculata Jack: Rutaceae). The effect of experience with a fruit species on acceptance of these fruit species (i.e., learning) differed between lab and wild females, but only for flies that were exposed to mock orange. Similar differences in fruit acceptance between lab and wild females were observed when individuals experienced with one fruit species were exposed to the other fruit species (i.e., switching). Finally, when each group was exposed to sweet orange, wild flies subsequently deprived of host fruit retained the effect of exposure on acceptance of mock orange 1 day longer than did lab flies subsequently deprived of host fruit. An hypothesis is presented by which selection under artificial culture gave rise to these differences.

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Résumé Des Ceratitis capitata femelles, élevées au laboratoire ou obtenues dans la nature à partir d'Eriobotrya japonica, ont été mises en présence de Citrus sinensis et de Murraya paniculata. L'effet de l'accoutumance à une espèce de fruit sur l'acceptation ultérieure des fruits d'une espèce déterminée (c'est-à-dire l'apprentissage) n'était pas le même pour les mouches sauvages et pour les mouches de laboratoire accoutumées à M. paniculata. Les mouches sauvages accoutumées à M. paniculata tentent de pondre dans C. sinensis beaucoup moins fréquemment que dans M. paniculata. Par contre, les mouches de laboratoire accoutumées à M. paniculata tentent de pondre dans M. paniculata aussi souvent que dans C. sinensis. Des différences du même type entre mouches sauvages et mouches du laboratoire ont été observées quand les individus mis en expérience avec une espèce de fruit ont été ensuite exposés à l'autre espèce, c'est-à-dire lors de réapprentissage. L'acceptation finale par les mouches de laboratoire dépend un peu plus de l'exposition à C. sinensis et un peu moins à celle de M. paniculata que lors de l'acceptation finale par des mouches sauvages. Enfin, des mouches sauvages accoutumées à C. sinensis et privées de leurs fruits, conservent un jour de plus l'effet de l'accoutumance, lors de l'acceptation de M. paniculata, que les mouches de laboratoire placées dans les mêmes conditions.Nous émettons l'hypothèse qu'une sélection due aux conditions d'élevage est à l'origine de ces différences. L'élevage dans de grandes bouteilles de polyéthylène peut sélectionner des mouches qui apprennent plus difficilement en présence de petits fruits comme M. paniculata et qui conservent l'influence de l'expérience pendant un temps plus bref.

     

Diurnal Patterns of Flight Activity and Effects of Light on Host Finding Behavior of the Asian Citrus Psyllid

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is an invasive pest of citrus in the United States. The psyllid feeds and reproduces primarily on new flush growth of citrus and other rutaceous plants. Because it vectors the bacterial causal agents of the deadly citrus greening disease, D. citri is potentially a pest of economic importance in all citrus growing areas where it occurs together with the disease. We investigated the diurnal patterns of its flight activity in the field and the effects of light on its host selection and egg laying behaviors. The numbers of adult psyllids caught on yellow sticky traps were 3 to 4-fold higher during daytime than nighttime. Daytime flight activity of D. citri adults also varied with time of the day with peak catches occurring at midday from 1200 to 1500 h. Illumination of the traps at night increased their attractiveness to adult psyllids by 5-fold. Similarly, light significantly increased plant colonization by adults and female egg deposition on potted plants in the laboratory. These results showed that the flight activity and host selection behavior of adult psyllids are regulated by light and circadian rhythms. Thus, adult psyllids utilize light as visual cues in their host-plant selection process.     

Asian citrus psyllid,Diaphorina citri,vector of citrus huanglongbing disease

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is an important pest of citrus because it transmits phloem‐limited bacteria [Candidatus Liberibacter spp., notably Ca. L. asiaticus (LAS)] associated with huanglongbing (HLB; citrus greening disease), currently considered the world's most serious disease of citrus. Asian citrus psyllid transmits LAS in a persistent manner and, although the rate of LAS transmission by ACP individuals usually is low, HLB can spread rapidly in a citrus grove and the geographic range of the disease is expanding, threatening citrus industries in new areas. Intensive chemical control of ACP is the primary management strategy currently advocated for HLB, but this strategy is costly, unsustainable, and generally ineffective. The scientific community is searching aggressively for solutions to HLB on many fronts, but it could still be years before solutions are found and implemented. Plant resistance to LAS is one area of research being pursued, whereby traits that confer resistance are identified and incorporated into citrus germplasm through conventional or transgenic methods. It remains to be seen if a solution to HLB can be found that specifically targets ACP, but research on ACP has been stepped up in a number of areas, notably on ACP–LAS–plant interactions, on host plant resistance to ACP, and on molecular methods of silencing ACP genes to induce mortality or to block its ability to transmit HLB‐causing bacteria. Advancements in these and other research areas may depend greatly on a better understanding of basic ACP biology and vector–pathogen–host plant interactions at the molecular, cellular, and community levels. Here, we present an updated review of ACP and HLB with an emphasis on the problem in Florida.     

Efficacy and uptake of soil-applied imidacloprid in the control of Asian citrus psyllid and a citrus leafminer, two foliar-feeding citrus pests

The systemic neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, Admire Pro, was applied to 3- and 4-yr-old nonbearing 'Rio Red' grapefruit, Citrus x paradisi Macfad., trees in 2006 and 2007, respectively, to determine its effects in the control of two major citrus pests, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), and a citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Young flush shoots were randomly collected weekly for 13 and 11 wk in 2006 and 2007, respectively, to determine the infestation levels and densities of immature stages of both Asian citrus psyllid and P. citrella. Additional flush shoot samples were collected in 2007 and titers of imidacloprid in leaf tissue were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Soil application of imidacloprid significantly reduced the infestation levels and densities of both pests on flush shoots, starting from the second week post application. The effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide were similar in both years. Analysis of imidacloprid concentration in leaf tissue showed a gradual increase during the first 3 wk, and titers remained well above 200 ppb for 11 wk postapplication. Significant positive correlations were obtained between imidacloprid titers in leaf tissue and the percentage of control levels achieved for both pests. A high level of suppression of both P. citrella and Asian citrus psyllid populations on citrus trees was associated with imidacloprid titer in leaf tissue >200 ppb, which was reached 2 wk after soil treatment. Although soil application of imidacloprid did not provide rapid knockdown of Asian citrus psyllid and P. citrella populations, it resulted in chronic residues in leaf tissue and long-term suppression of both pests.