Host preference, spatial distribution and chemical control of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella stainton (lepidoptera : gracillariidae)‎

الملخص EN

The citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is one of the most serious pests of nursery as well as young plantations of citrus.

The present work aimed to study host preference, spatial distribution within the tree's canopy and chemical control of CLM in citrus orchard located at Inshas District, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

The obtained results indicated that CLM significantly preferred to attack navel orange and eureka lemon more than valencia orange, mandarin, baladi orange and bitter orange.

This preference of CLM to navel orange may be attributed to the highly contents of carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, protein and ascorbic acid in navel orange leaves in comparison with the other tested hosts.

On the contrary, bitter orange was the lowest preferred host to CLM because of its lowest content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein and humidity.

On the other hand, the present results showed that CLM highly distributed in west direction more than the other directions and center of host trees during spring season.

With respect to control of CLM, the obtained results showed that KZ oil was the most effective compound in controlling CLM infesting navel orange trees; while, lambda, super misrona, diver, albolium and abamectin exhibited moderate ranks in controlling CLM.

Acetamipride was the least effective insecticide.