title: Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) Abundance in Puerto Rico Declines with Elevation.
abstract: Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is the primary vector of Huanglongbing, the most devastating disease of citrus. D. citri populations in Puerto Rico were monitored with yellow sticky traps on citrus trees or other psyllid host plants at different elevations, ranging from 10 to 880 m above sea level. Trapping was conducted in March through May of 2013 and 2014 when psyllid populations usually are highest. Population levels of D. citri, based on the trapping data, varied among the sites, and there was a strong trend in both years for decreasing psyllid abundance with increased elevation based on the number of psyllids captured on traps and the proportion of trees shown to be infested. No psyllids were collected at an elevation of >600 m. Reduced populations at higher elevations could be a consequence of differences in temperature, air pressure, oxygen levels, ultraviolet light, or other factors alone or in combination. We discuss our results as they pertain to management of D. citri and Huanglongbing.
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS-Tropical Agriculture Research Station, 2200 Ave. P.A. Campos, Ste. 201, Mayaguez, PR 00680. Corresponding author, e-mail: david.jenkins@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2100 South Rock Rd., Fort Pierce, FL 34945.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS-Tropical Agriculture Research Station, 2200 Ave. P.A. Campos, Ste. 201, Mayaguez, PR 00680.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goenaga
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D002957:Citrus; D006430:Hemiptera; D007303:Insect Vectors; D011156:Population Density; D011647:Puerto Rico
keywords: Asian citrus psyllid; Citrus; Huanglongbing; Puerto Rico; elevation