University Honors

Understanding the interactions between vector-borne pathogens and non-crop plantspecies is crucial for managing diseases in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. This studyfocuses on the role of potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, haplotypes, and the pathogenCandidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, CLso, in affecting native plants in the genera Physalisand Lycium within California’s Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. We employed a combination ofyellow sticky cards and custom-built preservative traps to monitor psyllid populations and thebacterial pathogens they may carry over the late winter to early spring season. Moleculartechniques, including PCR and Sanger sequencing, were used to identify psyllid haplotypes andscreen each psyllid for infection with CLso. Our results indicated that the Southwesternhaplotype of potato psyllids was prevalent, but none of the captured psyllids tested positive forCLso. These findings suggest a currently low risk of CLso transmission to native desert plants bythis vector in the studied regions. However, the presence of another psyllid species, Bactericeradorsalis, which has been identified as a potential vector for CLso, underscores the complexity ofthese ecological interactions and highlights the need for ongoing surveillance. This studyprovides valuable insights into the dynamics of vector-borne pathogens in non-crop plants,contributing to a broader understanding of their ecological impacts and aiding in thedevelopment of integrated pest management strategies.