D3508: Can the panel traps used for monitoring Asian citrus psyllid also provide reliable detection of Huanglongbing in California?

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

Paul F. Rugman-Jones

Professional Researcher
University of California
Riverside, California

Co-Author(s)

GS

Gregory S. Simmons

Supervisory Agriculturist
USDA-APHIS
Salinas, California
Kris E. Godfrey

Project Scientist
University of California
Davis, California

Management of huanglongbing depends heavily on monitoring the spread of its vector, Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), and early detection of the pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Yellow panel traps are employed by state and federal agencies for monitoring ACP and, in California, a network of >20,000 are checked bi-weekly. However, ACP caught on these traps are rejected for surveillance of the incidence of CLas. This is based on concerns that DNA degrades too quickly for a standardized molecular diagnostic test for CLas to be reliable. Instead, a separate, labor-intensive program exists for sampling live psyllids from trees, for use in pathogen surveillance. But are we in danger of "throwing out the baby with the bathwater"? Concerns about DNA degradation have never been empirically tested in California and utilizing ACP from panel traps could potentially enhance the early detection of CLas.