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Title: Internal extracellular bacteria of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), the Asian citus psyllid

Author
item KOLORA, LAKSHMI - California State University
item POWELL, CHRISTOPHER - University Of Texas
item Hunter, Wayne
item BEXTINE, BLAKE - University Of Texas
item LAUZON, CAROL - California State University

Submitted to: Current Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/2014
Publication Date: 2/3/2015
Citation: Kolora, L., Powell, C.M., Hunter, W.B., Bextine, B., Lauzon, C.R. 2015. Internal extracellular bacteria of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), the Asian citus psyllid. Current Microbiology. 70:710-715.

Interpretive Summary: Internal bacteria were successfully isolated from the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), which is an invasive insect pest that transmits the plant-infecting bacteria, Candidatus Liberibacter, known to infect and kill citrus trees. The insect/pathogen system was first identified in North America in the early 2000’s and has become the top threat to the citrus industry. Limited options for management of this problem exist; therefore, innovative pest management strategies are being developed. In this study, we describe the first step towards a paratransgenic approach (also referred to as symbiotic control) for control of the insect vector or the pathogen. Cultured bacteria from the gut of Asian Citrus Psyllids were identified using standard culture techniques followed by sequencing of the cultured microorganisms. Further, 454 pyrosequencing of the gut was performed to audit bacterial presence in order to begin to identify any relationship between psyllid symbiotic bacteria and Candidatus Liberibacter species. The two psyllid species, Diaphorina citri and Bactericera cockerelli both displayed shifts in their gut microbiota in the presence of Candidatus Liberibacter infections. Research is focused on determining if these bacteria can be used to eliminate Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria, from psyllids thereby stopping the spread to citrus trees.

Technical Abstract: Internal bacteria were isolated and cultured from the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), the insect which transmits the plant-infecting bacteria, Candidatus Liberibacter, known to infect and kill citrus trees, known as citrus greening disease. The bacteria from Diaphorina citri were identified as: Pantoea agglomerans and Alcaligenes xylosoxidans denitrificans. With limited options for solutions to this disease, innovative pest management strategies like paratransgenesis are being developed. Paratransgenic approaches are aimed at reduction of psyllids and pathogen by using these naturally occurring microbes. Bacteria from the gut of Diaphorina citri and Bactericera cockerelli (potato psyllid) were identified using standard culture techniques followed by sequencing of the cultured microorganisms. Further 454 pyrosequencing of the gut was performed to audit bacterial presence and concentrations during infections from Candidatus Liberibacter species in order to identify any relationship between psyllid symbionts and Candidatus Liberibacter species. Both the psyllid species evaluated, Diaphorina citri and Bactericera cockerelli, displayed shifts in their gut microbiota in the presence of Candidatus Liberibacter specie infections. Thus research is focused on determining the causes and to see if these microbes can provide a system to eliminate Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus bacteria, from psyllids and citrus trees.