Fungal Pathogen Might Be Worst Nightmare for Asian Citrus Psyllid
October 6, 2021 The Asian citrus psyllid is infamous for transmitting the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide. And now it appears to have a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen — Cordyceps javanica.
Spores of Cordyceps javanica grow in bead-like strands across citrus leaves, attaching themselves to the psyllid body, germinating, and infecting the psyllids, effectively lowering pest numbers by up to 90%. The fungus sustains itself and its impact on the psyllids for two full weeks after its application. Scientists at two UF/IFAS research centers published their findings in the Sept. 14 issue of Insects, a peer-reviewed science journal.
“Growers must control the psyllid to produce fresh fruit,” says Pasco Avery, a UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center scientist in Fort Pierce. “What the growers need is an integrated pest management program to mitigate the psyllid populations, minimize the input of non-selective insecticides, and preserve the lady beetles, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that are the psyllid’s natural enemies.”
C. javanica (Apopka strain) was discovered by UF/IFAS research scientist Lance Osborne in the mid-1980s. The fungus was isolated from dead insects on plants in a greenhouse at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka.
The adult Asian citrus psyllid is attracted to volatiles that the citrus trees release while they are in “flush” or when new leaves on branches emerge. Psyllids land on the new citrus flush, and while feeding, insert the citrus greening-associated bacterium into the tree’s phloem.
Avery said the psyllid develops resistance to synthetic broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, and therefore, an integrated pest management program is requisite. Scientists can employ a combination of tools such as the fungus C. javanica, along with the psyllid’s natural enemies, to protect the trees.”
For more, continue reading at blogs.ifas.ufl.edu.
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