Seasonal and daily patterns in the flight activity of Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio), vector of huanglongbing (HLB).

Abstract

Background: The psyllid Trioza erytreae (del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is one of the vectors of Candidatus liberibacter spp., the causal agent of the huanglongbing (HLB) the main citrus disease worldwide. In this study, we investigated for the first time how the flight behavior of T. erytreae is influenced by factors such as sex or daily and seasonal pattern fluctuations by using a flight mill device under controlled laboratory conditions.

Results: Our results showed that T. erytreae can fly an average distance of 16.20 m at a mean speed of 6 m per minute, but a few individuals were able to fly much longer, reaching a maximum distance of 395 m. Females displayed a higher flight capacity than males. Moreover, we found that T. erytreae is not confined to diurnal flight alone, as the psyllids demonstrated the ability to fly during the night, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vector control strategies that account for nocturnal activity.

Conclusion: Understanding the flight behavior of vector insects is essential for devising effective control measures aimed at mitigating the spread of vector-borne diseases. Further research in this area will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of vector movement and the development of more precise control measures. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.