Title: | Disruption of Vector Host Preference with Plant Volatiles May Reduce Spread of Insect-Transmitted Plant Pathogens |
Author(s): | Martini X; Willett DS; Kuhns EH; Stelinski LL; |
Address: | "Department of Entomology and Nematology, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA. xmartini@ufl.edu. Department of Entomology and Nematology, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL, 33850, USA" |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10886-016-0695-x |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Plant pathogens can manipulate the odor of their host; the odor of an infected plant is often attractive to the plant pathogen vector. It has been suggested that this odor-mediated manipulation attracts vectors and may contribute to spread of disease; however, this requires further broad demonstration among vector-pathogen systems. In addition, disruption of this indirect chemical communication between the pathogen and the vector has not been attempted. We present a model that demonstrates how a phytophathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) can increase its spread by indirectly manipulating the behavior of its vector (Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). The model indicates that when vectors are attracted to pathogen-infected hosts, the proportion of infected vectors increases, as well as, the proportion of infected hosts. Additionally, the peak of infected host populations occurs earlier as compared with controls. These changes in disease dynamics were more important during scenarios with higher vector mortality. Subsequently, we conducted a series of experiments to disrupt the behavior of the Asian citrus psyllid. To do so, we exposed the vector to methyl salicylate, the major compound released following host infection with the pathogen. We observed that during exposure or after pre-exposure to methyl salicylate, the host preference can be altered; indeed, the Asian citrus psyllids were unable to select infected hosts over uninfected counterparts. We suggest mechanisms to explain these interactions and potential applications of disrupting herbivore host preference with plant volatiles for sustainable management of insect vectors" |
Keywords: | "Animals Citrus/metabolism/*microbiology Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Hemiptera/*drug effects/physiology Host Specificity/*drug effects Insect Vectors/*drug effects/physiology Models, Statistical Pheromones/metabolism/pharmacology Plant Diseases/microb;" |
Notes: | "MedlineMartini, Xavier Willett, Denis S Kuhns, Emily H Stelinski, Lukasz L eng 2016/05/20 J Chem Ecol. 2016 May; 42(5):357-67. doi: 10.1007/s10886-016-0695-x. Epub 2016 May 18" |