Diaphorina citri e Candidatus Liberibacter spp: Associação que coloca em risco a citricultura baiana

Abstract

With wide geographic distribution, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) is an important insect pests in several countries, particularly because it is a vector of disease-causing bacteria huanglongbing (HLB), which can infect all citrus species, cultivars and hybrids. The objective of this study was to estimate the potential economic losses resulting from the introduction of HLB in the state of Bahia, as well as know the population dynamics of D. citri, aiming to propose strategies for pest management at the time of its introduction. The economic study, by comparing the Net Present Value (NPV) of citrus in Bahia, against different scenarios, considering the invasion of bacteria causal agent of HLB.The monitoring of D. citri in three citrus orchards in Rio Real, state Bahia. In each orchard 20 plants were monitored with fortnightly basis, registering the total number of new shoots and the number of psyllids observed in 20 branches of each plant (five per quadrant). Reported separately the number of eggs, nymphs (irrespective of ínstar) and adults. The surveys were conducted in November 2010 to October 2011. We also used yellow sticky traps to catch the adult insect and determining the number of psilíde/trap/month (PAM). The traps were installed in two citrus groves and myrtle plants during the period from March to October 2011. The economic impact resulting from the introduction of HLB can exceed R $ 1.837 billion in 20 years and that the population of D. citri was influenced by the pattern of vegetative emission of its hosts, and that the population peak occurred in late spring to early summer.