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- Title
First Report of the Association of the Psyllid Vector Bactericera trigonica (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with ' Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum' in Italy.
- Authors
Bertinelli, Giorgia; Tizzani, Lorenza; Mosconi, Fabio; Ilardi, Vincenza; Bertin, Sabrina
- Abstract
Simple Summary: Psyllids are insects that represent a potential threat to the cultivation of several crops, mainly as vectors of the 'Candidatus Liberibacter' bacteria species. Surveys on the presence and abundance of insect vectors of pathogens can provide important information on the presence of related pathogens in a certain area, even before the appearance of disease symptoms in plants. The occurrence of psyllid vectors was investigated on carrot crops in the "Altopiano del Fucino" area (Abruzzo region), where the highest Italian carrot production occurs. This survey revealed, for the first time in Italy, the presence of psyllid Bactericera trigonica adults associated with 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso). This finding provided important evidence of the risks for Lso outbreaks and prompted further research to assess the spread and the incidence of the bacterium in crop cultivations in Italy. Psyllids, members of the family Triozidae, represent a potential threat to the cultivation of solanaceous and apiaceous crops worldwide, mainly as vectors of the phloem-restricted bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso). The Lso haplotypes C, D and E are known to affect apiaceous crops, such as carrot and celery, in several European countries. In Italy, data on the incidence and natural spread of both Lso and psyllids have not been reported so far. In this study, the presence of the vectors was investigated in a main Italian district for carrot production, the "Altopiano del Fucino" area (Central Italy). Both occasional and regular surveys were carried out on a total of five carrot fields and one potato field in 2021 and 2022. Bactericera trigonica (Hodkinson), which is known to efficiently transmit Lso to carrots, was found to be well-established in the area. High levels of population density were recorded in the summer period (more than 100 adult specimens per trap caught every two weeks) and then sharply decreased after the carrot harvest, confirming the strict association of this psyllid species with crop availability. In 2022, 27.5% of the total tested psyllid samples resulted in being positive for Lso haplotypes D and E, the latter being prevalent. This survey revealed, for the first time in Italy, the presence of B. trigonica adults associated with Lso in carrot crops. Although this study was limited to a few fields located in one area, it provided important evidence of the risks for Lso outbreaks and prompted further research to assess the spread and incidence of the disease in apiaceous cultivations in Italy.
- Subjects
ITALY; ABRUZZO (Italy); CANDIDATUS; CARROTS; HEMIPTERA; INSECT pathogens; PLANT diseases; DISEASE incidence
- Publication
Insects (2075-4450), 2024, Vol 15, Issue 2, p117
- ISSN
2075-4450
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/insects15020117