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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311931
Title: Ultrastructure and development of the new stylets inside pre-molting first instar nymphs of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

Author
item AMMAR, EL-DESOUKY - University Of Florida
item Hall, David
item Shatters, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/25/2014
Publication Date: 3/24/2015
Citation: Ammar, E., Hall, D.G., Shatters, R.G. 2015. Ultrastructure and development of the new stylets inside pre-molting first instar nymphs of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Florida Entomologist. 98:373-376.

Interpretive Summary: The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is the principal vector of the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (LAS) bacterium associated with huanglongbing (HLB, citrus greening), the most serious citrus disease worldwide. The psyllid mouthparts (stylets) play an important role in acquisition and transmission of this phloem limited bacterium, and nymphs of Asian citrus psyllid are more efficient transmitters than adults. This paper provides new insights into the development of new stylets inside pre-molting first instar nymphs of ACP.

Technical Abstract: The ultrastructure and development of new stylets was studied in pre-molting first instar nymph of Diaphorina citri. Two oval-shaped masses of cuboidal hypodermal cells, located in the cephalic region, had long extensions that ended with developing pairs of mandibular and maxillary stylets, apparently coiled around these masses. A new structure, probably composed of softer cuticle, was found on the ventral side of each developing stylet suggesting that this structure may work as a mold during formation of the new stylets. Other organs of 1st instar nymphs, including the filter chamber and bacteriome, are also ultrastructurally described.