Size and shape analysis of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae), vector of citrus huanglongbing disease

Abstract

Background: The African citrus triozid (ACT) Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is one of the most devastating pests of citrus with a well-known role as a vector of the phloem-limited bacteria (Candidatus Liberibacter africanus) associated with huanglongbing (citrus greening disease), currently considered the world's most serious disease of citrus. Although the pest can successfully develop and reproduce on non-citrus host plants, there is no documented information on the geometric morphometry of ACT. We determine the effect of host plants on ACT morphometry under controlled laboratory conditions using traditional and geometric analysis.

Results: ACT reared on C. limon and Citroncirus spp. was significantly larger than when reared on the other host plant species. ACT reared on C. anisata and C. tangelo was consistently smaller than that reared on M. koenigii and C. sinensis. Based on warped outline drawings, ACT reared on Citroncirus spp. and Murraya koenigii had narrower wings than when reared on C. anisata, C. limon, and C. sinensis with slightly broader wing patterns.

Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates that host plant species affect morphometric variation in ACT, which might have a direct impact on fitness parameters of the pest as well as its potential for dispersion. Wing shape and size appear to be useful in separating populations of ACT into different groups. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: African citrus triozid; citrus greening disease; host plant; huanglongbing; morphometrics.