Symbionts and pathogens of the Asian citrus psyllid.

This chapter focuses on the associations between Asian citrus physllid (Diaphorina citri) and its community of microorganisms. D. citri harbors a community of microorganisms that contribute to the metabolic needs, and thus the overall fitness, of its insect host. These microorganisms may also alter the transmission process indirectly by eliciting psyllid immune responses and/or directly by interacting with the pathogen. Intracellular symbionts may influence pathogen transmission by interfering with the survival and multiplication of pathogens in the psyllid. Disruption of pathogen transmission through the manipulation of vector microbial communities offers an increasingly promising concept for integrated management of this pathosystem.