Effect of temperature on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama gene expression and energy metabolism

Huanglongbing, the most damaging disease in Florida citrus, is associated with the uncultivable bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) spreads the disease by transmitting the pathogen from plant to plant during feeding on citrus phloem sap. Controlling the vector is essential to reduce the spread of disease. Understanding ACP physiology and its response to different temperatures during the year can assist in selection of most efficacious times for control. Additionally, studying the dynamic changes of the ACP transcriptome, energy metabolome, and enzymatic activities will help in our understanding of how ACP tolerates temperature changes from one season to another, and may lead to the discovery of the key susceptible periods for ACP control. We aim to build up a mathematical model that ties Florida’s temperature and ACP population dynamics. This modeling will greatly help in choosing the right time to control ACP. Also gained knowledge about how ACP may tolerate the temperature changes will contribute in designing better strategies for control.