Comparative Biology and Life Tables of “CandidatusLiberibacter Solanacearum”-Infected and -FreeBactericera Cockerelli(Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Potato and Silverleaf Nightshade

Abstract

ABSTRACT The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc), vectors the pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” (Lso), causal agent of zebra chip disease of potato. Several cultivated and wild plants are reported to serve as alternate hosts for B. cockerelli and Lso, including silverleaf nightshade (SLN), a wild solanaceous woody perennial weed that occurs throughout Texas. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory to compare performance of Lso-infected and Lso-free B. cockerelli on SLN and potato. Results showed that host plants and Lso-infection significantly influenced the performance of B. cockerelli. Egg incubation and nymphal development of Lso-infected and Lso-free immatures were prolonged on SLN compared with potato indicating a host effect. Generally, Lso-infected B. cockerelli immatures developed faster on both SLN and potato, although significantly more Lso-free nymphs survived than nymphs that harbored the pathogen. Lso-free adults also lived longer and laid more eggs on potato than...