Suitability of 'Cleopatra' mandarin as a host plant for Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Abstract

In this study we compared suitability of 'Cleopatra' mandarin and 'sour orange' as host plants for D. citri. Oviposition rate and survival of D. citri were significantly reduced on 'Cleopatra' mandarin. There was no effect of host plant on development rate of each immature stage or sex ratio, although development rate from egg to adult was significantly longer on 'Cleopatra'. The results of this study support our previous observations that 'Cleopatra' mandarin negatively affects fitness of D. citri. Additional studies are ongoing to determine the factors responsible for reduction in the survival of psyllid nymphs when reared on 'Cleopatra' mandarin.