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Title: Novel reovirus in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Author
item Hert, Mizuri
item Hunter, Wayne
item Hall, David

Submitted to: International Research Conference on Huanglongbing
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2008
Publication Date: 12/1/2008
Citation: Hert, M.M., Hunter, W.B., Hall, D.G. 2008. Novel reovirus in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). In: Proceedings of the International Research Conference on Huanglongbing. 11.5 p. 320-323, December 1-5, 2008, Orlando, Florida. Available: www.plantmanagementnetwork.org.

Interpretive Summary: We discovered a psyllid-infecting Reovirus that we are now examining as a potential biological control agent to reduce the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) population to reduce the aspread of huanglongbing disease (HLB) in citrus. HLB is a devastating bacterial disease of citrus spread by the psyllid during feeding on citrus trees. Previously, a psyllid-infecting Reovirus was discovered in adult psyllids (Hunter et al. 2007). To better understand the potential of this pathogen as a biological control agent to reduce psyllid populations, we examined infection rates within psyllid populations and viral pathogenicity on an insect cell culture as a rapid screening tool. We determined a 20 percent infection of psyllids in culture and up to 55 percent virus infection rates in field populations. Rates of infection were similar for adult males and females. When inoculated into an insect cell line, SF9, the psyllid reovirus was shown to increase cell mortality. These data suggest that this new psyllid-infecting reovirus might be useful as a management tool for reducing psyllid populations and the spread of HLB in citrus.

Technical Abstract: We discovered a psyllid-infecting Reovirus that we are now examining as a potential biological control agent of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) to reduce huanglongbing disease (HLB) of citrus, a devastating bacterial disease of citrus transmitted by the psyllid. Previously, a psyllid-infecting Reovirus was discovered in adult psyllids (Hunter et al. 2007). To better understand the potential of this pathogen as a biological control agent to reduce psyllid populations, we examined infection rates within psyllid populations and viral pathogenicity on an insect cell culture as a rapid screening tool. We determined a 20 percent infection of psyllids in culture and up to 55 percent virus infection rates in field populations. Rates of infection were similar for adult males and females. When inoculated into an insect cell line, SF9, the psyllid reovirus was shown to increase cell mortality. These data suggest that this new psyllid-infecting reovirus might be useful as a management tool for reducing psyllid populations and the spread of HLB in citrus.