Abstract
BackgroundThe Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, can transmit the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter while feeding on citrus flush shoots. This bacterium causes Huanglongbing (HLB), a major disease of citrus cultivation worldwide necessitating the development of new tools for ACP surveillance and control. The olfactory system of ACP is sensitive to variety of odorants released by citrus plants and offers an opportunity to develop new attractants and repellents.ResultsIn this study, we performed single-unit electrophysiology to identify odorants that are strong activators, inhibitors, and prolonged activators of ACP odorant receptor neurons (ORNs). We identified a suite of odorants that activated the ORNs with high specificity and sensitivity, which may be useful in eliciting behavior such as attraction. In separate experiments, we also identified odorants that evoked prolonged ORN responses and antagonistic odorants able to suppress neuronal responses to activators, both of which can be useful in lowering attraction to hosts. In field trials, we tested the electrophysiologically identified activating odorants and identified a 3-odor blend that enhances trap catches by ∼230%.ConclusionThese findings provide a set of odorants that can be used to develop affordable and safe odor-based surveillance and masking strategies for this dangerous pest insect.
Highlights
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, can transmit the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter while feeding on citrus flush shoots
Identifying volatiles that evoke ACP Odorant Receptor Neuron (ORN) responses can lead to the identification of odorants to be used as tools for ACP surveillance and control
We found that the intensity of ORN responses varied considerably across odor concentrations, decreasing in breadth at lower concentrations (Fig. 1b, Table S1)
Summary
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, can transmit the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter while feeding on citrus flush shoots. This bacterium causes Huanglongbing (HLB), a major disease of citrus cultivation worldwide necessitating the development of new tools for ACP surveillance and control. The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is attracted to the young flush of citrus plants where it feeds on the sap as well as uses as a site for mating, oviposition, and development of the nymphs [1,2]. In the winter, the carrot psyllid Trioza apicalis migrates from carrot plants to conifers Both plants display similar volatile chemical profiles [8], suggesting that the psyllid olfactory system may sense both hosts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call