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TECHNICAL SESSION: Virus discovery and virus populations

Surveys for Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri)-infecting viruses and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) dispersal in Florida citrus groves
Kellee Britt - University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Maher Al Rwahnih- University of California-Davis, Ozgur Batuman- University of Florida, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Amit Levy- University of Florida, Citrus Reseach and Education Center, Samantha Gebben- University of Florida, Southwe

Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causal agent of the world’s worst disease in citrus, Huanglongbing (HLB), continues to decimate the Florida citrus industry. CLas' insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri), shows increased resistance to current insecticides used by Florida citrus growers, and threatens Florida’s management strategies for the now endemic vector and disease. This study investigated the incidence of ACP-infecting viruses throughout Florida citrus groves for their potential use as RNA interfering (RNAi) viral vectors, an alternative and biological control option. Every month over a span of two years, ACP populations were sampled from more than 20 different citrus producing counties in Florida. We successfully detected and monitored five previously identified ACP-infecting viruses throughout Florida citrus groves: the Diaphorina citri-associated C virus (DcACV), D. citri flavi-like virus, D. citri densovirus, D. citri reovirus-like, and D. citri picorna-like virus. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was also used to track CLas titers in these ACP samples and to observe any temporal interactions between CLas populations and viral incidence. Preliminary results have shown that the DcACV is the most dispersed and prevalent virus in Florida ACP populations, and that the presence of these viruses have not affected the occurrence of CLas infection of these ACPs. Using this data, further research may be able to enhance the specificity and deployment of future RNAi control strategies using viruses for elimination of the ACP and HLB in Florida.