Article
Virology
Jennifer Dahan, W. Rodney Cooper, Joseph E. Munyaneza, Alexander Karasev
Summary: A new picorna-like virus, named Bactericera cockerelli picorna-like virus (BcPLV), was discovered in potato psyllid populations, related to the Asian citrus psyllid picorna-like virus (DcPLV), and proposed to comprise a new genus named Psylloidivirus within the family Iflaviridae.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Mosharrof Mondal, Megan Carver, Judith K. Brown
Summary: This study aimed to optimize RNA interference (RNAi) in young PoP adults and 3rd instars by screening through oral delivery of dsRNAs. The minimum effective concentration of dsRNA required for gene knockdown was determined to be 100 ng/μL for all three target genes. Gene silencing post-ingestion of 100 ng/μL dsRNA persisted for 3-5 days in adults and nymphs, with the 3rd instar showing the most robust RNAi response.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chen Chen, Xiong Z. He, Peng Zhou, Qiao Wang
Summary: Tamarixia triozae is a primary parasitoid of Bactericera cockerelli, a major pest of solanaceous crops. Research was conducted to understand the behavior and fitness consequences of T. triozae, including its feeding and oviposition preferences, and allocation of eggs to different host stages. The findings show that T. triozae feeds on mid-aged hosts and prefers to parasitize later instars, leading to mortality in all instars. Host feeding and parasitism peak in the first week of female life, while superparasitism decreases with increasing host density. Progeny fitness is positively correlated with host size at parasitism.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shovon Chandra Sarkar, Stephen Paul Milroy, Wei Xu
Summary: The variegated lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata, shows potential as a biocontrol agent for the invasive pest, Bactericera cockerelli, and may contribute to improving current management strategies.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Xiao-Tian Tang, Cecilia Tamborindeguy
Summary: This study investigated whether an autophagic response is triggered in the gut of adult potato psyllids in response to LsoA and LsoB. The results showed that Lso may induce an autophagic response in the adult psyllid gut, suggesting a potential role of autophagy in the psyllid gut response to Lso infection.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kyle Harrison, Azucena Mendoza-Herrera, Julien Gad Levy, Cecilia Tamborindeguy
Summary: The tomato psyllid infestation has long-lasting consequences for tomato gene expression, defense mechanisms, and plant growth. Transcriptome analysis revealed that psyllid infestation led to changes in gene expression related to defense responses, growth inhibition, and improved stress resistance in tomatoes.
Article
Entomology
Carlos A. Antolinez, Rachel Youngblood, Jaimie R. Kenney, Marco Gebiola, Kerry E. Mauck, Monique J. Rivera
Summary: Understanding vector dispersal capacity is crucial for assessing the risk of pathogen spread. In this study, we investigated the flight performance of Bactericera cockerelli infected with the plant pathogenic bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.' We found that CLso infection reduced the propensity of the insects to engage in long distance flights. Our results provide valuable insights for developing strategies to prevent the establishment of CLso in new areas.
JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Review
Entomology
Shovon Chandra Sarkar, Severin Hatt, Andrew Philips, Mahjuba Akter, Stephen Paul Milroy, Wei Xu
Summary: The tomato potato psyllid is a major insect pest of potato, tomato, and other solanaceous crops. First detected in Australia in 2017, it poses a significant threat to the vegetable industry. The insect damages crops directly through feeding and indirectly as a vector of a pathogen causing zebra chip disease in potatoes. Biological control with native natural enemies may be a viable alternative strategy to manage this insect.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Goretty Caamal-Chan, Aaron Barraza, Abraham Loera-Muro, Juan J. Montes-Sanchez, Thelma Castellanos, Yolanda Rodriguez-Pagaza
Summary: The study analyzed the bacterial communities associated with the insect vector Bactericera cockerelli central haplotype, from four regions in Mexico, showing relatively few microbial species but high abundance of Wolbachia, with 'Candidatas Liberibacter' having higher relative abundance only in some locations.
Article
Plant Sciences
W. Rodney Cooper, Kylie Swisher D. Grimm, Gina M. Angelella, Tariq Mustafa
Summary: ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is a pathogen that causes disease and economic losses in solanaceous crops in North America, transmitted by the potato psyllid. Three distinct haplotypes of the psyllid (western, central, and northwestern) were found to differ in their rates of Lso infection. The presence of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia correlates with higher Lso infection rates in the western and central haplotypes, while the northwestern haplotype had lower rates.
Review
Agronomy
Emiliano R. R. Veronesi, Christopher J. J. Thompson, Stephen L. L. Goldson
Summary: The tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) is a polyphagous herbivore that is a well-known pest of solanaceous crops in America and the Pacific region. Despite numerous attempts, strategies for managing this species have mostly been unsuccessful. However, research on biological control options for TPP has made progress. This review classifies and summarizes current worldwide efforts in TPP biological control and discusses the potential and limitations of identified biocontrol agents.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF CROP AND HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shovon Chandra Sarkar, Stephen Paul Milroy, Wei Xu
Summary: The present study examined the Australian native ladybird beetle Coccinella transversalis as a potential biological control agent of the tomato potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. The results showed that C. transversalis could successfully survive, develop, and reproduce when fed B. cockerelli as a monotypic diet. In a glasshouse trial, C. transversalis larvae reduced the population growth of B. cockerelli and increased plant biomass.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kylie D. Swisher Grimm, David R. Horton, Tamera M. Lewis, Stephen F. Garczynski, Andrew S. Jensen, Brian A. Charlton
Summary: Eleven haplotypes of the bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' have been identified worldwide, some of which infect important agricultural crops. In the United States, haplotypes A and B, transmitted by potato psyllid, cause yield and quality losses in potato, tomato, and other Solanaceae crops. A new haplotype F was recently discovered in potato fields in southern Oregon, but its vector has not been identified.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Junepyo Oh, Cecilia Tamborindeguy
Summary: In North America, the Gram-negative plant bacterial pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) poses a serious threat to solanaceous crops, and potato psyllids transmit Lso in a persistent manner. Previous studies suggested that autophagy might be involved in the transmission, but tools to evaluate autophagy in this species have not been validated. This study validated the use of rapamycin as an autophagy inducer and validated tools to assess the response in the gut of adult potato psyllids. Autophagy plays a crucial role in psyllid immunity and the response to Lso.
Article
Plant Sciences
G. N. Mohan Kumar, C. G. Kannangara, N. Richard Knowles
Summary: The defense response of potato tubers afflicted with zebra chip disease involves the upregulation of nucleases, which likely modulate cell death and restrict the bacterial pathogen to vasculature. This study provides insights into the potential role of nucleases in the response of tubers to CLso infection.