Meeting Abstract
The Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is an agricultural pest that has significantly reduced citrus production across many countries including the United States. The D. citri transmit a plant pathogenic bacterium (Candidus Liberibacter asiaticus) that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) – also known as citrus greening disease. With a multibillion-dollar industry at risk, it is imperative that scientists develop more effective HLB preventative measures. It is evident from years of research that prevention and treatment will take a multifaceted approach. Accordingly, we have begun to investigate ecoimmunological questions that might help to better shape strategies for HLB management by better understanding the interaction between the Ca. L. asiaticus and the psyllid’s hemocyte population. This preliminary study uses traditional blood smear staining techniques for light microscopy to examine morphological differences between the various types of hemocytes and to better characterize the population found within D. citri. Here we investigate the proportions of hemocyte types in a hemocyte population of Ca. L. asiaticus infected and uninfected psyllids to better understand the innate immune response against this pathogen. Future studies will use fluorescence microscopy to explore the innate immune response to a Ca. L. asiaticus infection and characterize the specific interaction between the bacterium and the hemocytes. An improved knowledge of the interactions between the Ca. L. asiaticus and the hemocytes of D. citri will led to more targeted preventative measures and that may improve HLB control in the future.
