Host plant affects morphometric variation ofDiaphorina citri(Hemiptera: Liviidae).
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP),Diaphorina citriKuwayama, is one of the most serious citrus pests worldwide due to its role as vector of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. While some optimal plant species for ACP oviposition and development have been identified, little is known of the influence of host plants on ACP size and shape. Our goal was to determine how size and shape of ACP wing and body size varies when development occurs on different host plants in a controlled rearing environment. ACP were reared on six different rutaceous species;Bergera koenigii,Citrus aurantifolia,Citrus macrophylla,Citrus maxima,Citrus taiwanicaandMurraya paniculata. Adults were examined for morphometric variation using traditional and geometric analysis based on 12 traits or landmarks. ACP reared onC. taiwanicawere consistently smaller than those reared on the other plant species. Wing aspect ratio also differed betweenC. maximaandC. taiwanica. Significant differences in shape were detected with those reared onM. paniculatahaving narrower wings than those reared onC. macrophylla. This study provides evidence of wing size and shape differences of ACP based on host plant species which potentially may impact dispersal. Further study is needed to determine if behavioral and physiological differences are associated with the observed phenotypic differences.
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Gainesville, Florida, United States; Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Immokalee, Florida, United States.
Thomson M
TM
Paris
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Gainesville, Florida , United States.
Sandra A
SA
Allan
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Ft. Pierce, Florida , United States.
David G
DG
Hall
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Ft. Pierce, Florida , United States.
Matthew G
MG
Hentz
Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Gainesville, Florida , United States.
Gabriella
G
Hetesy
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida , Immokalee, Florida , United States.
Philip A
PA
Stansly
ACP; Asian citrus psyllid; Host plant; Huanglongbing; Morphometrics