Feeding, transport and survival of Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) adults

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is a vector of the pathogens responsible for Huanglongbing disease in citrus trees. A promising option for managing the disease is to rear pathogen-resistant strains of the insect and release them either to act as ecological barriers to invasion or to reduce overall vector competence of the wild insect population. A prerequisite for this management option is knowing how to successfully transport live Asian citrus psyllid adults, and this knowledge will also contribute to understanding adult movement through host-free areas. The survival of adult insects without host plants was evaluated in conditions expected during shipment in the mail. The effects of temperature, humidity, insects-per-container, and insect age-as-adult were determined. Maintenance of high humidity proved critical to adult survival but provided opportunities for liquid water condensation that could drown adults. Recently-eclosed adults were also significantly less likely to survive than older adults. This age effect on mortality was investigated in subsequent experiments where adults were fed curry, Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel. Sex and color morph affected initial adult weight and subsequent weight gain. The effect of feeding time and weight upon adult survival will be discussed.