Body Size Variation ofDiaphorina citri(Hemiptera: Psyllidae) Through an Elevation Gradient

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, vectors the bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ responsible for the huanglongbing (HLB) disease. In Mexico, economic losses caused by HLB severely affect the citrus industry. Despite the threat that the presence of D. citri implies, due to its invasive characteristics, there are few ecological and biological studies addressing its adaptation to new and different environments in Mexico. Based on the temperature-size rule, stating smaller adult size at higher rearing temperatures, the aim of this study was to evaluate D. citri's body size variation at different temperatures related to an elevation gradient. Adults were collected at four different elevations in the states of Jalisco and Colima, Mexico. Right forewing length and width as well as prothorax width and right antenna length were measured. Statistical differences between the sexes were analyzed by a multivariate analysis using Hotelling's T2 and Kruskal—Wallis nonparametric tes...