Occurrence and distribution of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Pará state, Brazil

Abstract

This study presents and discusses the results of a survey for the presence of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama and its natural enemies in Citrus spp. citrus and Murraya sp. myrtle plants in Pará State, Brazil. From 2013 to 2017, observations were made in five mesoregions of the State, and where D. citri was present, branches were examined to quantify eggs, nymphs and mummies with parasitoid emergence holes and to obtain parasitoids. D. citri adults were used to detected the bacterium through nested polymerase chain reaction (NESTED-PCR). Psyllids were found in citrus and myrtle plants. A total of 583 parasitoid specimens of Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) were obtained. The bacterial detection test was negative for Candidatus Liberibacter spp. Psyllids and parasitoids were present in the Lower Amazon, Metropolitan area, Northeastern Pará, Southeastern Pará and Southwestern Pará mesoregions. The presence of D. citri in citrus, with was previously absent in this host, alters the risk situation for Huanglongbing (HLB) in the State. These results will aid in developing preventive or containment measures through phytosanitary protection.