Seasonal patterns in the proportion of Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) carrying Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus

Liberibacter asiaticus is the putative causal agent of Huanglongbing disease in citrus,and it is sometimes referred to as Greening. Psyllid populations at six locations in central Florida and one location in southern Florida were sampled monthly and the proportion of adult psyllids carrying Liberibacter was measured using QPCR of pooled samples. Prior to DNA extraction, psyllids were sorted by gender and color. Florida Automated Weather Network was used to estimate environmental conditions at these locations. Liberibacter was present at all times of year, but prevalence was highest sometime from October through December. Seasonal patterns in sex ratio and color were correlated with weather patterns and Liberibacter prevalence in the psyllid.