Seasonal Population Dynamics of the Potato Psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and Its Associated Pathogen “<I>Candidatus</I> Liberibacter solanacearum” in Potatoes in the Southern Great Plains of North America

Abstract

The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), and its associated pathogen "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Ca. L. solanacearum), the putative causal agent of zebra chip (ZC) disease in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), were sampled in commercial potato fields and untreated control plots for 3 yr in multiple locations in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Populations of the potato psyllid varied across years and across potato growing regions. However, the percentage of potato psyllids infected with Ca. L. solanacearum although variable across years, was consistently highest in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas (LRGV), the reported overwintering location for this pest. The numbers of Ca. L. solanacearum-infected psyllids collected on field traps and large nymphs counted on leaf samples were both positively correlated with the final percentage of ZC in tubers. In the LRGV, where vector and disease pressure is the highest, population levels of immature life stages of the psyllid and percentage of ZC differed greatly between commercial and untreated fields. These results show that the pest management program that was used can be effective at controlling development of the psyllid and ultimately reducing the incidence of ZC.

Life Tables ofBactericera cockerelli(Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Tomato Under Laboratory and Field Conditions in Southern Texas

“…Southern Texas, especially the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), has been reported as one of the areas where B. cockerelli overwinters and breeds (Janes 1937;Pletsch 1947;Wallis 1954;Cranshaw 1994Cranshaw , 2001Gao et al 2009). The subtropical climate of south Texas provides B. cockerelli with optimal breeding conditions during the temperate winter season, which potentially raises the likelihood of outbreaks (Goolsby et al 2012). Thus, it is important to elucidate the population dynamics of B. cockerelli under the unique climatic conditions of south Texas.…”

Identification of a Fourth Haplotype of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the United States

“…Psyllids were collected from yellow sticky traps placed throughout each field (see Goolsby et al 2012 for collection, processing, and sorting details). Because these samples were part of an on-going population study to determine Lso incidence, no voucher samples are available.…”

Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Potato Psyllid Haplotypes in the United States

“…In addition, psyllids were collected in Texas near Edinburg, Pearsall, Dalhart, Weslaco, and Olton in Goolsby et al 2012 for detailed instructions on trapping and processing). After identiÞcation by trained personnel at the USDA-ARS laboratory in Weslaco, TX, these psyllids underwent DNA extraction in 2009 and 2010 at the USDA-ARS laboratory in Prosser, WA, and then were stored at Ϫ20ЊC.…”

“…These samples then were stored at Ϫ20ЊC. Samples were again part of a study to determine Lso incidence, so all samples were processed (Goolsby et al 2012). As a result, no voucher samples are available.…”