Effect of weather parameters on incidence of citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and its natural enemies in three commercially grown citrus cultivars

Abstract

Studies on the incidence of citrus leaf miner (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, species composition of its bioagents, percentage parasitism and the impact of weather parameters on their incidence on three major citrus cultivars, showed that higher levels of P. citrella infestation was found on acid lime and Nagpur mandarin cultivars than on mosambi and higher levels of infestation were observed during August-October and February-April. Different stages of parasitoids and predators were collected from leaf miner infested twigs. Parasitisation rates were high during Hasta season (October-early December) and least during Mrig season (June - July). Acid lime cultivar recorded up to 4.60 parasitized CLM larvae per 10 leaves, while on mosambi it was only 0.65. Maximum temperature was found to have significant negative correlation towards the CLM infestation as well as parasitisation rate on the  three cultivars, while relative humidity was found to have significant positive role in favoring the incidence of CLM.