Journal of Applied Entomology (2019) 143, 262-270

Owusu Fordjour Aidoo, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis, Brenda Amondi Rasowo, Samira Abuelgasim Mohamed, Benjamin Kongyeli Badii, Daisy Salifu, Mamoudou Sétamou, Sunday Ekesi and Christian Borgemeister (2019)
Host suitability and feeding preference of the African citrus triozid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae), natural vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter africanus"
Journal of Applied Entomology 143 (3), 262-270
Abstract: African citrus greening (ACGD) and huanglongbing (HLB) diseases are the most damaging diseases of citrus worldwide. Currently, the disease has no cure and has been attributed to the collapse of the citrus industry in several countries. In Africa, the causative agent "Candidatus" Liberibacter africanus is vectored by African citrus triozid (ACT) Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae). African citrus triozid is native to Africa but has been recently reported in Asia and Europe. Apart from citrus, Murraya koenigii (L.) and Clausena anisata (Willd) Hook. F. ex Benth. are also considered as preferred host plants. At present, there is scant information on host plant suitability and preference of T. erytreae. Also, there are contradictory reports on its reproduction and survival on rutaceous and non-rutaceous host plants. In the present study, we tested the suitability and preference of rutaceous and non-rutaceous trees and shrubs as potential ACT host plants in choice and no-choice bioassays. The development from egg to the adult stage was longest on Calodendrum capense (Wright and Arn.) Engl. Host plants of superior quality accordingly to several ACT's biological parameters measured also revealed significantly higher morphometric characteristics. Our findings on the host status of the five rutaceous plants imply that these plants can greatly influence the population dynamics of ACT as well as the epidemiology of ACGD, and these can be a useful guide in the area-wide management of the pest in Kenya.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Mamoudou Sétamou, Sunday Ekesi, Christian Borgemeister

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Trioza erytreae	Citrus (genus)	Kenya
	Trioza erytreae	Murraya (genus)	Kenya
	Liberibacter africanus	Citrus (genus)	Kenya