In-silico analysis of the target phage region determined AP24534 mouse that the region selected in this study is specific to Las and not present in other members of Rhizobiales. We have validated the LAMP protocols described here using psyllids from Florida, Brazil, India and Pakistan (data not shown), as well as from a range of different citrus varieties (Supplementary Table 1). Since LAMP technique is highly sensitive, contamination of samples can potentially become a problem. This can be resolved by a few simple guidelines: a) discarding LAMP reaction tubes after the assay without opening; b) using 8-strip tubes with individual caps, opening and closing one tube at

a time; c) cleaning work area, pipets and other plastic ware with 0.1 × commercial bleach; d) using gloves during testing and e) testing psyllid samples in the farm/grove where they are collected rather BIBW2992 than transporting all psyllid samples to a central location. Growers should be encouraged to test pools of psyllids with up to 10 psyllids per extraction. While a positive result would mean the presence of Liberibacter, a negative result may not mean absence of the pathogen. The percentage of psyllids carrying the pathogen is usually low under field conditions and varies greatly in different seasons. Hence, testing of large number of psyllids

in different seasons is desirable. The LAMP technology will be very useful for citrus growing regions where HLB has either not been found, or is in the initial stages of the epidemic. The disease clonidine situation in Florida reached alarming proportions in a very short period of time (Gottwald, 2010 and Halbert et al., 2012). Pro-active measures in citrus growing regions of the United States where the imminent danger of HLB exists but the disease has not established yet, like California, Texas and Arizona, may assist both HLB prevention/suppression and psyllid management regimen. We believe that large scale testing of the psyllid by many interested parties working together with the regulatory agencies will achieve such a goal. While finding a positive psyllid may not

lead to any regulatory actions, the grower can start immediate action to prevent further spread of the pathogen by suppressing psyllid population. Control of psyllids and targeting Las-positive psyllids is a short-term solution to delaying the epidemic and mitigation of the disease. Long-term solution for this devastating disease consists of developing HLB tolerant/resistant cultivars. Till that goal is achieved, other strategic methods of disease control will be useful in disease management. Funding from California Citrus Nursery Board, CNAB 2013 Lee is gratefully acknowledged. The project was developed after discussion with some citrus growers and nurserymen in California. The funding agency had no involvement in the study design, analyses or interpretation of data.