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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #401632
Research Project: Identifying Vulnerabilities in Vector-host-pathogen Interactions of Grapevine and Citrus Pathosystems to Advance Sustainable Management Strategies

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Metagenomic analyses of Asian citrus psyllids infected with “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” in Mexico

Author
item Chen, Jianchi
item ALANS-MARTNEZ, LOBANA - National Station Of Plant Epidemiology, Quarantine And Sanitation (ENE CUSAV)
item Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto

Submitted to: Entomology Society of America Pacific Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri) is an insect vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), a nonculturable bacterium associated with citrus Huanglongbing (HLB, yellow shoot disease). HLB is a highly destructive citrus disease threatening citrus production around the world including Mexico and USA. An important issue in HLB management is the control of ACP, which requires extensive knowledge of the insect vector. Like other insects, ACP hosts a suite of microorganisms collectively known as the microbiome. Examples of associated bacteria include the symbiotic “Ca. Carsonella ruddii” and “Ca. Profftella armature” that live inside insect cells providing essential amino acids for ACP growth and development. Endosymbionts are targets for ACP management and sources of phylogenetic studies for ACP tracking. Our research pipeline for metagenomic analysis of ACP from California identified over ten ACP-associated bacteria. This metagenomic research approach was applied to analyze two ACP samples collected in states from Mexico with very different climates; one from Yucata´n and the other from Baja California Sur. Both ACPs were infected with CLas. The two ACP samples shared similar bacteriomic profiles despite their distant geographic origin while harboring different CLas strains. Complete genome sequences of “Ca. Profftella armature” and “Ca. Carsonella ruddii” were identified from both ACPs. Results of pending analyses will be presented. This research addresses knowledge gaps on the microbiome of ACP. Cooperative binational research to enhance the understanding of ACP genomics and biology will facilitate accurate and efficient HLB management in the USA and Mexico.