Work

Characterising the Associated Virome and Microbiota of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) in Samoa

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is an economically important pest of citrus as it is a vector of the bacterium (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, CLas) that causes huanglongbing disease (HLB). Understanding the virome of D. citri is important for uncovering factors that influence vector competence, to support biosecurity surveillance, and to identify candidate agents for biological control. Previous studies have identified several D. citri-associated viruses from various geographical populations of this pest. To further investigate virus diversity in this pest, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyse D. citri populations from the Samoan islands of Upolu and Savai’i. Eleven novel viruses from the Yadokariviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Nodaviridae, Mymonaviridae, Partitiviridae, Totiviridae, and Polymycoviridae were identified as well as some that corresponded to unclassified groups. In addition, microbiome analysis revealed the presence of several endosymbiotic microorganisms, including Wolbachia, as well as some plant pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea. However, the causative agent of HLB disease (CLas) was not detected in the RNA-Seq data. These findings highlight the complex and diverse microbiota associated with D. citri and suggest potential interactions and dynamics between microorganisms and psyllid-associated viruses. Further research is needed to understand the ecological significance of these discoveries, and whether the novel viruses play a role in regulating field populations of the psyllid.

Source: Pathogens

DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14080801