Presence and distribution of the African citrus psyllid in São Tomé island uri icon

abstract

  • Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Grant/Award Number: LA/P/0007/2020 and UIDB/00690/2020; H2020 Environment, Grant/Award Number: H2020- SFS- 2018- 2 Topic SFS- 05- 2018-2019-2020; Foundation for Science and Technology
  • The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a natural vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agents of the citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB). Despite the global losses of the Citrus industry due to HLB, the vector is rapidly spread to new areas threatening citrus crops and raising con-cern for stakeholders. Until now, there was a single old register of T. er y treae from the São Tomé island (Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Entomology, 49, 1–102). In this work, we provide up-to-date occurrence data on the presence of T. er y treae throughout the isle of São Tomé. The identity of the captured adults was assessed and confirmed through molecular identification by sequencing a portion of the mitochondrial COI. The psyllid was found in lemon, orange and tangerine or-chards. Further monitoring is advisable to manage potential outbreaks

publication date

  • July 2022