The Combination of Citrus Rootstock and Scion Cultivar Influences Trioza erytreae (Hemiptera: Triozidae) Survival, Preference Choice and Oviposition.

Simple Summary: Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating citrus disease across Africa, America and Asia. It is associated with three species of bacteria belonging to the genus 'Candidatus Liberibacter', transmitted by the psyllid vector Trioza erytreae, among others. This insect has spread throughout part of the Iberian Peninsula, threatening citrus orchards with the possible arrival and transmission of HLB. Currently, there are no curative methods of control for the disease, so finding plant material less suitable for psyllids can reduce the risk of spreading. We have evaluated how the citrus combination, rootstocks (Flying dragon, 'Cleopatra' mandarin, Carrizo citrange, Forner-Alcaide no.5, Forner-Alcaide no.517 and Citrus macrophylla) and scion cultivars ('Star Ruby', 'Clemenules', 'Navelina', 'Valencia Late', 'Fino 49' and 'Ortanique') determine the biology of T. erytreae. Our results show that T. erytreae behaves differently depending on the combination, and is the least suitable for its survival with 'Ortanique' on Forner-Alcaide no. 517 and 'Valencia Late' on Carrizo citrange. The psyllid preferred 'Fino 49' grafted onto Carrizo citrange for egg laying rather than Flying Dragon. Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a citrus pest which produces gall symptoms on leaves and transmits bacteria associated with the citrus disease Huanglongbing, 'Candidatus Liberibacter' spp. In the present work, the biology and behaviour of T. erytreae were studied in different rootstock–cultivar combinations. Six rootstocks were used, Flying dragon (FD), 'Cleopatra' mandarin (CL), Carrizo citrange (CC), Forner-Alcaide no.5 (FA5), Forner-Alcaide no.517 (FA517) and Citrus macrophylla (CM), and six scion cultivars: 'Star Ruby', 'Clemenules', 'Navelina', 'Valencia Late', 'Fino 49' and 'Ortanique'. Survival and oviposition were evaluated in a no-choice trial, and preference in a choice trial, all of them under greenhouse conditions. Trioza erytreae did not show a clear settle preference for any citrus combination. However, it was able to lay more eggs in 'Fino 49' grafted on CC than on FD. In terms of survival, 'Ortanique' grafted onto FA5 was more suitable than when grafted onto FA517, and in the case of 'Valencia Late', when it was grafted onto CM rather than CC. Our results showed that T. erytreae behave differently depending on the citrus combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]