Effect of host alternation on fitness of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), huanglongbing bacterium vector

The psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the vector of the bacterium that causes huanglongbing (HLB), the most serious disease of citrus plants. The range of host species available in the field provides ample food for nymph development and adults support, allowing the psyllids to persist and pose a risk to healthy groves. This study aimed to understand the effects of remaining on or changing between host-plant species on psyllid fitness, and the effects of the parental diet on the offspring. Psyllid populations were established on two host species, Citrus sinensis (commercial plant) and Murraya paniculata (ornamental plant). The insects were kept on the same host or alternated between M. paniculata to C. sinensis, and their biological parameters were recorded daily. The results indicated that move to another host during the adult phase did not cause changes in psyllids fitness or in the development of their offspring; however, this change can impact negatively the performance of the subsequent generation (i.e. the offspring of their offspring). The diet of immatures can be a key factor affecting the population dynamics of psyllids. This information will help to improve psyllid management techniques according to the heterogeneity of the landscape surrounding a grove.