Oviposition deterrents for the management of citrus leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Abstract

Experiments were carried out to evaluate neem oil (3%), azadirachtin(0.03%), Neem Seed Kernel Extract(7%), Neem cake extract (10%), Horticultural mineral oil (HO)(1%), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (0.3%), Bt (0.3%) + HO (1%), Spinosad 45SC (0.009%), Spinosad 45SC (0.009%) + HO (1%) and imidacloprid 17.8SL (0.009%) for deterrence to citrus leaf miner oviposition on rough lemon seedlings under caged and nursery conditions. Under laboratory conditions(caged), maximum oviposition deterrence of 84.52% was observed with neem oil (3%) followed by imidacloprid 17.8 SL (0.009%) with 83.33 % deterrence. Under nursery conditions, neem oil (3%), spinosad 45 SC (0.009%) + HO (1%) and imidacloprid 17.8 SL (0.009%) were found effective in controlling leaf miner infestation up to 15 days after spraying.