Feeding and mating behavior of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama on Murraya exotica L.
Author of the article:XU Xin；XIAO Zhuang-Ting； CEN Yi-Jing
Author's Workplace：Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China；Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China；Laboratory of Insect Ecology, Key Laboratory of Bio-Pesticide Innovation and Application, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Key Words： Asian citrus psyllid, feeding behavior, mating behavior
Abstract：
[Objectives] To provide basic
knowledge required for the effective control of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama and thereby prevent the transmission of
Huanglong disease. [Methods] The feeding and mating behavior of adult D. citri on Murraya exotica L. were observed and the amount
of time females and males spent feeding on different parts of young and mature
shoots was recorded and compared. [Results] There was no significant difference in
total feeding duration between females and males on young or mature
shoots. The feeding duration of females on mature shoots was, however, significantly
longer than that on young shoots, whereas there was no significant difference
in the amount of time males spent feeding on young and mature shoots. Both males
and females preferred the stems of young shoots the most, followed by the leaves,
then the petioles. Females spent significantly longer feeding on the stems of young
shoots than on the leaves or petioles, whereas males had no significant
preference. Males and females preferred different parts of mature shoots. The
feeding duration of females on the abaxial (lower) surface of leaves was significantly
longer than that on the adaxial (upper) surface of leaves and stems. However,
the feeding duration of males on the abaxial and adaxial surface of leaves was not
significantly different, and they fed significantly longer on the adaxial
surface of leaves than on stems. Before mating, males clasped the ovipositor
from the underside of the female’s abdomen and intermittently shook their
distal hind foot during mating. Before completing mating, males retracted their
abdomen so that the ends of both the male and female abdomen sagged and became
bow shaped. After mating, males and female walked together for some distance
before separating. Mating lasted about 40 minutes. [Conclusion] Females and
males have different feeding behavior and different preferred feeding locations.
Females feed much longer on mature shoots than on young shoots and prefer abaxial
surface of the leaves.