ARS | Publication request: Incidence of Huanglongbing in Psyllids Under Natural Conditions in Florida

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2007
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Citation: Ramadugu, C., Keremane, M.L., Ramos, C., Halbert, S., Lee, R.F. 2007. Incidence of Huanglongbing in Psyllids Under Natural Conditions in Florida. Phytopathology, 97, No7: S96.

Technical Abstract: Huanglongbing (HLB) was first reported in Florida in August 2005. The disease is spread by a psyllid vector, Diaphorina citri, which has been present in Florida since 1998. HLB is a very difficult disease to manage because of lack of early diagnostic methods. PCR diagnostic methods are efficient only when symptomatic tissue is used for DNA extraction. Analysis of vectors for HLB may prove to be a useful tool for detection of infected plants by analysis of nymphs, and for monitoring of HLB activity in an area by analysis of adults. In the present study, psyllids collected from different locations, at different times of the year, were analyzed by a real time PCR analysis using DNA from both single and multiple psyllid extractions. In single psyllid extractions, 0-40% of the psyllids were found to carry HLB. Interestingly, the incidence of HLB in psyllids appears to vary seasonally. The highest incidence of HLB in psyllids was in early fall, and the lowest in the winter, even in samples collected from severely infected areas.