Can parasitism by Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) affect the movement and oviposition behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)?

Abstract

AbstractDiaphorina citriis the vector of the bacteria that cause HLB. The psyllid acquires the pathogen after feeding on infected plants and transmits it to other trees as it moves through the grove. The psyllid’s movement is directly affected by abiotic and biotic factors, such as the presence of conspecific insects and natural enemies. This study evaluated the effects of the presence of conspecific nymphs either not parasitized or parasitized byTamarixia radiataon the movement and oviposition of adult femaleD. citri. D. citrifemales were released into cages containing a row of four equidistantMurraya paniculataplants. The first plant, the release point, had one of three conditions: no nymphs; non-parasitized nymphs (high and low densities); or previously parasitized nymphs. At 24, 48, and 72 h following release, the females on each plant in the cage were counted. At the end of the observations (72 h), the females were removed, and the eggs laid on the plants were counted. Discrete data analysis showed that in the presence of a high density of non-parasitized nymphs, adult psyllids were more homogeneously distributed among the plants. However, the highest oviposition rates were observed on plants without nymphs. On the other hand, in the presence of nymphs, the largest number of females remained at the release site and more eggs were deposited on plants with parasitized nymphs. This information will help to improve psyllid management techniques and releases of their natural enemy, according to their distribution in the grove.