Abstract
The interactions between plant pathogens and their insect vectors may influence vector biology and ecology, which affects pathogen spread. The potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is the vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” (Lso), the bacterial pathogen associated with zebra chip (ZC) disease in potatoes. Lso is also known to negatively affect potato psyllid’s reproductive output. There are four distinct haplotypes of B. cockerelli identified in the United States, and some of these haplotypes are found overwintering on wild solanaceous hosts. The present study was developed to evaluate the survival of different Lso+ and Lso− potato psyllid haplotypes reared on bittersweet nightshade and cultivated potatoes when exposed to cold temperatures in the laboratory. Lso significantly increased the potato psyllid survivorship in cold temperatures. The potato psyllid survival in the cold tended to be consistently higher when reared on bittersweet nightshade than potato plants. Likewise, the temperatures of 0 ℃ and 4 ℃ were the most favorable for psyllid survival. The observed higher respiration for the Lso+ potato psyllids suggests elevated levels of metabolism at room temperature. Overall, the results presented here indicated that Lso promotes cold tolerance, which should increase the overwintering success of potato psyllids.