Does the African Citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), Represent a Phytosanitary Threat to the Citrus Industry in Mexico?

Abstract

The African citrus psyllid, <i>Trioza erytreae</i> (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a vector of <i>Candidatus</i> Liberibacter africanus (CLaf), a pathogen that causes huanglongbing (HLB) in Africa. <i>Trioza erytreae</i> has invaded areas of Asia and Europe and has threatened citrus production due to its biological habits and the transmission of CLaf. Mexico is a country where citrus production has a vital role from the economic and social point of view. Therefore, ecological niche modeling (ENM) was used to determine if Mexico has the environmental availability that will allow <i>T. erytreae</i> invasion. We analyzed whether or not the distribution of <i>Casimiroa edulis</i> La Llave (Rutaceae) in the country could be a factor that enables the dispersal of <i>T. eytreae</i>. The environmental connectivity between five points of entry into the country (two ports and three airports) was explored to determine possible routes of dispersal of <i>T. erytrae</i>. The results showed that Mexico has wide availability for the invasion of the African citrus psyllid, which coincides with essential citrus areas of the country and with the distribution of <i>C. edulis</i>. Of the entry points studied, the Port of Veracruz showed nearby areas with environmental connectivity. Preventive monitoring measures for <i>T. erytreae</i> in Mexico should focus on Veracruz state because it has an entry point, ideal environmental availability, citrus areas, and specimens of <i>C. edulis</i>.