Leuronota fagarae

Burckhardt, 1988

Wild Lime Psyllid

Leuronota fagarae (Wild Lime ) is a psyllid in the Triozidae, native to Paraguay and in Florida, USA since 2001. It feeds on Zanthoxylum fagara (wild lime), a citrus relative in the Rutaceae family, causing characteristic rolled leaf edges that shelter developing nymphs. The species is taxonomically related to Diaphorina citri, the of Huanglongbing (citrus greening), and their ranges overlap in Florida's transition zones between wild and cultivated citrus . A novel endosymbiont strain (wLfag-FL, supergroup B) has been characterized from this species, revealing potential nutritional provisioning roles and informing research on -based pest control strategies.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leuronota fagarae: /lɛ.ʊˈroʊ.nə.tə fəˈɡɑːri/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Florida psyllids by association with Zanthoxylum fagara plants and production of rolled leaf edge galls. Closely related to Diaphorina citri but separable by host specificity; L. fagarae does not develop on Citrus while D. citri does. Specific morphological diagnostic features not described in available sources.

Habitat

Transition zones between non-cultivated areas and cultivated citrus in Florida, USA, where plant Zanthoxylum fagara occurs. Native in Paraguay not described in available sources. Laboratory colonies maintained on potted Zanthoxylum fagara plants.

Distribution

Native to Paraguay, South America (described 1988 from two locations). in Florida, USA (first reported 2001 in southern Florida). GBIF records confirm presence in Florida and Paraguay.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plant sap of Zanthoxylum fagara (wild lime), a citrus relative in Rutaceae. Does not develop on Citrus based on suitability studies.

Host Associations

Zanthoxylum fagara - primary plantwild lime, Rutaceae; essential for development and
Wolbachia endosymbiont of Leuronota fagarae (wLfag-FL) - intracellular bacterial endosymbiontsupergroup B; 1,359 detected with metabolic, secretion system, ankyrin domain, and bacterioferritin functions suggesting nutritional provisioning

Behavior

Feeding induces rolled leaf edges on plants that provide physical protection for developing nymphs. Proximity to Diaphorina citri creates ecological opportunity for transfer of intracellular microbes through shared plant feeding activities.

Ecological Role

Serves as a comparative model for Huanglongbing-related pest research due to close phylogenetic relationship with D. citri and shared overlap. endosymbiont characterization expands known range of this bacterial and informs potential environmentally-safe pest control strategies targeting .

Human Relevance

Research subject for understanding - with potential applications in pest control. Not a direct agricultural pest of cultivated citrus, but ecological proximity to D. citri raises considerations for microbial transfer dynamics. No documented direct economic impact.

Similar Taxa

Diaphorina citriAsian Citrus Psyllid; congeneric Triozidae, overlapping Florida distribution, and similar size and habitus. Distinguished by range: D. citri develops on Citrus while L. fagarae does not.

More Details

Wolbachia Endosymbiont Research

Transcriptomic analysis of wLfag-FL identified ankyrin domain proteins and partial bacterioferritin sequences, suggesting roles in nutritional provisioning and iron storage. This strain is phylogenetically placed in supergroup B, related to strains from other psyllids.

Invasion History

First detected in Florida in 2001, representing a range expansion from its native Paraguayan distribution described in 1988. The mechanism of introduction remains undocumented.