?Modelling the invasion dynamics of the African citrus psyllid: The role of human-mediated dispersal and urban and peri-urban citrus trees

The African citrus psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) (Hemiptera, Triozidae), is native to tropical Africa and invasive species in North America Europe. main host plants are citrus, displaying a preference for lemon trees. This psyllid was recently detected the northwest region of Iberian Peninsula, both Spain Portugal. Here, we used model combining reaction-diffusion stochastic long-distance dispersal simulate invasion dynamics T. spread Portugal simulated between 2015 2021 different combinations parameters: two fecundity levels; with without dispersal; single or introductions ; considering not urban peri-urban trees, besides orchards, estimated using Google Street view imagery. incorporation human mediated significantly improved F1-score validation official reports as observed data. Concomitantly, rate on average about 66 km/year, whereas removing events, mean 7.8 ± 0.3 km/year. mainly towards south along coastline, where population concentrated. inclusion trees outside orchards areas increased validation, revealing importance these isolated hold stepping stones current possibly other alike.