A coordination meeting was held on 11 and 12 May at the Areeiro Phytopathological Station (EFA) to continue monitoring and evolving the objectives set out in the European Horizon 2020 project “Pre-HLB: Preventing HLB epidemics for ensuring citrus survival in Europe”, in which this service of the Provincial Council of Pontevedra collaborates through an agreement with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

Jose Eduardo Belda (Koppert), Jose Alberto Pereira (IPB Bragança) Alberto Fereres (ICA-CSIC), Leandro Pena (CSIC) and Amilcar Duarte (UaDlg) in Algarve, Oporto area and Estación Fitopatolóxica Areeiro (EFA) to continue with the monitoring and evolution of the objectives set within PRE-HLB. These meetings were held for the continuation of the trials established in relation to the application of Kaolin, plastics in soil and the study of fungi that eat Trioza (entomapatogenic).

Alberto Fereres is coordinating experiments on the life cycle and host range of Trioza erytreae in collaboration with the Arthropods and IPM Laboratory from the Estación Fitopatolóxica Areeiro, which belongs to the Diputación de Pontevedra. Currently, the researchers are designing the following experiments to be carried out in Oporto and Pontevedra.

The scientist entrusted with the following tasks:

1. Mass breeding of the insect Trioza erytreae. The main objective will be the production of adults of T. erytreae in sufficient numbers and on a regular basis to carry out the tests provided for in the “Pre-HLB” project. These tests involve obtaining a stable and continuous breeding of the insect on lemon trees.
2. Studies on the life cycle and maximum and minimum developmental thresholds of T. erytreae. The rate of development, survival, longevity and reproduction (calculation of fertility and fertility rates) of the insect at different temperatures and relative humidity is being studied. On the other hand, the maximum and minimum thresholds of temperatures and humidity for its development will be determined.
3. Preference trials of T. erytreae to different plant species, including citrus varieties and citrus relatives. The preferred host range will be studied through free-choice trials with a selection of different Rutaceae species in addition to other potential hosts.
4. Laboratory efficacy of biological insecticides. In this case, different control tests are being performed with entomopathogenic fungi to determine their activity against the pest, their dose-response behavior and their persistence, with the aim of integrating them into pest / HLB management strategies. This is being performed in collaboration with the PreHLB partner Koppert.

In Pontevedra deputy delegate Manuel González Martínez as well as the EFA director Carmen Salinero Corral welcomed PreHLB scientists. After briefly commenting on the state of the studies, they agreed to continue the development of the project and start writing scientific publications and papers for conferences, in addition to issuing press releases, as results are already being produced.

During the stay, experiments on T. erytreae preference trials were initiated. Citrus plants of the most important citrus varieties grown in the Mediterranean were kindly and freely provided by AVASA (Spanish Citrus Nurserymen Association) and included mainly oranges, lemons and mandarins. Together with them, AVASA provided us also with other citrus genotypes such as grapefruits, limes as well as ornamental citrus species commonly used for gardening and culinary purposes. Moreover, we used citrus relatives such as wanpee, white zapote and others which may be used as ornamentals in the Mediterranean basin and could be T. erytreae hosts. According to Leandro Peña “the information generated will allow us to know which lemon, orange and mandarin varieties are preferred by T. erytreae for feeding and rearing and whether citrus and citrus relatives used or usable as ornamentals may be insect reservoirs in our countries”.

All the images of the meeting in the Gallery