Niche shift and global potential distribution of the invasive species Trioza erytreae, vector of the citrus Huanglongbing disease

Abstract

Abstract Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity, ecological structure of habitats and agriculture, especially in a setting of climatic change. The impact of these species also has a major role in the spread of exotic vector-borne diseases, which may cause substantial economic losses in agriculture if cultivated species are among those affected by these diseases. The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio), has recently become an invasive species in Europe. This species, which has been known as a pest of trees in the family Rutaceae in Africa for a long period of time, is cause for major concern by its potential effects on citrus orchards, of particular economic importance in southern European countries. Through the evaluation of macroclimatic niches occupied by invasive and native populations and the use of species distribution modelling, we have predicted the potential global geographic distribution of the species, which shows high suitability in a wide range of areas in every continent, as well as quantified and evaluated differences in the macroclimatic niches occupied by invasive and native populations of the species, demonstrating a high similarity and therefore conservatism between the climatic conditions occupied by the species in both ranges. These results provide valuable information that can be used in planning conservation actions in order to reduce risk of invasion by the species.